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Matty Healy: Malaysia festival cancelled after The 1975 singer attacks anti-LGBT law - Lemmy.world
lemmy.worldA festival in Malaysia has been cancelled after British singer Matty Healy
attacked the country’s anti-LGBT laws. During the performance by his band The
1975 at the Good Vibes Festival, Healy addressed the audience in a
profanity-laden speech before kissing bass player Ross MacDonald. The band then
ended their set, claiming officials ordered them off stage. Homosexuality is
illegal in Malaysia and punishable by 20 years in prison. The band were
headlining the Good Vibes Festival in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Friday. On
Saturday the festival’s organisers said the remaining schedule for the festival
had been cancelled following the controversy. A statement said the decision came
after an “immediate cancellation directive” from Malaysia’s Ministry of
Communications and Digital, as part of its "unwavering stance against any
parties that challenge, ridicule or contravene Malaysian laws. In footage shared
online, Healy could be seen telling the crowd that the band’s decision to appear
in Malaysia had been a “mistake”. “When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking
into it,” Healy said. "I don’t see the [expletive] point, right, I do not see
the point of inviting the 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have
sex with. “Unfortunately you don’t get a set of loads of uplifting songs because
I’m [expletive] furious,” the frontman continued. “And that’s not fair on you,
because you’re not representative of your government. Because you’re young
people, and I’m sure a lot of you are gay and progressive and cool.” Healy and
MacDonald then kissed as the band played the song I Like America & America Likes
Me. Soon after - just 30 minutes into the set - Healy and the band walked off
stage, with the singer telling the audience: “Alright, we just got banned from
Kuala Lumpur, see you later.” A source close to the 1975 confirmed the incident
to the BBC. “Matty has a long-time record of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community
and the band wanted to stand up for their LGBTQ+ fans and community,” the source
said on Friday night. In an initial statement to local media on Friday, festival
organisers said the band’s set was stopped due to “non-compliance with local
performance guidelines”. But at that stage they said the festival would continue
as scheduled for the rest of the weekend. Malaysia’s Communications Minister
Fahmi Fadzil hit out at the band’s performance on Twitter, calling it “very
disrespectful”. He added that he had contacted festival organisers and asked
them to provide a full report. Healy has previously used appearances on stage to
highlight anti-LGBT laws. In 2019 he invited a male fan on stage during a gig in
Dubai to hug him, before sharing a quick kiss. The incident attracted criticism
in the country, where homosexuality is punishable by 10 years imprisonment.
Posting on Twitter after the show, Healy said: “Thank you Dubai you were so
amazing. I don’t think we’ll be allowed back due to my ‘behaviour’ but know that
I love you and I wouldn’t have done anything differently given the chance
again.” Other performers at the Good Vibes Festival include the Strokes, Dermot
Kennedy and Ty Dollar $ign.
This dude hijacked the LGBTQ movement in the country; the manner he carried it out was simply unforgivable. He’s now getting all the fame he wants from the overly woke while the real community is being pushed further back underground.
I’m all for progress and liberalism, but not for others hijacking a.movement for their own 15 minutes of fame.