Good Vibes Festival sues The 1975 for 2023 cancellation

Good Vibes Festival is suing The 1975 following last year's controversy involving lead singer Matty Healy, which led to the festival being shut down by police.

Festival organisers, Future Sound Asia, are seeking approximately US$2,4 million in damages, according to court documents submitted to the U.K. High Court as reported by Variety.

The lawsuit claims that The 1975 and their management team knowingly violated several laws and regulations.

During a profanity-laden rant on stage, Healy expressed regret for booking a show in a country that controls “who we can have sex with.”

Healy continued, “Unfortunately, you don't get a set of uplifting songs because I'm fucking furious, and that's not fair on you, because you're not representative of your government.”

This rant was part of his protest against Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQIA+ laws, during which two male band members kissed on stage.

The incident led to the festival’s cancellation with two days remaining and sparked an investigation by authorities.

Read this next: Malaysian events industry figures & LGBTQIA+ community respond to The 1975 incident

Malaysia, which has a dual justice system of secular and Sharia laws, does not recognise LGBTQIA+ rights and imposes severe penalties for homosexuality, including potential capital punishment, imprisonment, caning, and fines.

Read this next: Malaysia to adopt a “kill switch” for future events with international acts

Good Vibes had already threatened legal action against the band in August 2023.

The festival's 2024 edition was also cancelled just three weeks before the event was scheduled to take place due to a conflict of timings with a royal ceremony.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.

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