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The 1975 are being pursued for more than £2m in damages after frontman Matty Healy criticised Malaysia’s homosexuality laws and kissed a male bandmate on stage.
Future Sound Asia is accusing the group of breaching a contract – and alleges it had received a “pre-show written assurance” that their performance would adhere to all local guidelines.
Healy had made a speech about homosexuality, which is illegal in Malaysia, and kissed bassist Ross MacDonald in front of the crowd at the Good Vibes Festival.
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Malaysia bans The 1975 after on-stage kiss
The three-day event they were performing at was later cancelled, with FSA directly linking this to Healy’s “abusive language, equipment damage and indecent stage behaviour”.
According to the PA news agency, FSA is now demanding £2,099,154.54 in damages.
The company’s legal counsel, David Mathew, added: “Their actions have had repercussions on local artists and small businesses, who relied on the festival for creative opportunities and their livelihoods.
“In this connection, Future Sound Asia wishes to move forward in a way that will give the Malaysian community affected some closure.”
FSA previously warned it was prepared to launch legal proceedings in English courts – and said the incident had “tarnished the reputation of the 10-year-old festival”.
The 1975 have now been banned from Kuala Lumpur and blacklisted from playing in the country.
Two further tour dates in Asia – one in Indonesia and the other in Taiwan – were subsequently cancelled.
Representatives for Healy have been approached for comment.
