The 1975 has been banned from performing in Malaysia after Matt Healy made a statement against the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws by kissing his bandmate on stage.
The band was performing at the Good Vibes festival in Kuala Lumpur on Friday when Healy called out the Malaysian government and its strict stance against LGBTQ+ rights. According to Healy, the band made a mistake performing in the country.
"I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasn't looking into it," he explained while holding a bottle of wine. "I don't see the fucking 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."
He continued, "I'm sorry if that offends you, and you're religious, and it's part of your fucking government... I don't care anymore. If you push, I'm gonna push back. I'm not in the fucking mood."
Healy then criticized the scrutiny he's received on social media over his actions the last few months before focusing his attention back to the Malaysian government. He also mentioned the group considered not performing but didn't want to disappoint the fans who pulled up to the festival.
"Unfortunately, you don't get a set of loads of uplifting songs because I'm fucking furious. And that's not fair on you, because you're not representative of your government," he said to the audience. "'Cause you are young people, and I'm sure a lot of you are gay and progressive."
He continued, "It's ridiculous, fucking ridiculous, to tell people what they can do with that and that," he continued, motioning to his crotch and mouth. "If you want to invite me here to do a show, you can fuck off. I'll take your money. You can ban me, but I've done this before, and it doesn't feel good."
Once he was done with his rant, Healy was joined on stage by bassist Ross MacDonald and locked lips with him. The stunt pushed festival organizers to cancel the event, which had two days left. The government issued a statement through its communications minister Fahmi Fadzil that no one will challenge the government's decision.
"There will be no compromise against any party that challenges, disparages, and violates Malaysian laws," communications minister Fahmi Fadzil announced after meeting with the organizers of the Good Vibes Festival.
A source connected to the band told Entertainment Weekly that Healy has advocated for the LGBTQ+ community several times, and the band "wanted to stand up for their LGBTQ+ fans and the community."
This isn't the first time Healy pulled this stunt.
In 2019, during a performance in Dubai, Healy kissed a male fan on stage in protest of the United Arab Emirates' legislative attack on the LGBTQ community. Healy wrote on Twitter following the stunt: "I don't think we'll be allowed back [in the UAE] due to my 'behavior,' but know that I love you and I wouldn't have done anything differently given the chance again."
