Samuel Bradley
The 1975 are facing a class action lawsuit after frontman Matty Healy made comments onstage that led to a festival in Malaysia being canceled, NME reports. A group of local artists and vendors who were due to perform and/or operate at the Good Vibes in Kuala Lumpur have filed a lawsuit against the band. They are seeking compensation for loss of earnings as a result of the event being canceled.
Good Vibes was axed on Saturday, July 22, after The 1975's performance the night before. During the set Healy was critical of the strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Malaysia and kissed bass player Ross MacDonald in an act of protest. The band were made to abandon their set and have subsequently axed two further shows in Asia.
As a result of Good Vibes not going ahead as planned, local artists due to perform across the weekend have not been paid. Twenty-eight food vendors were also said to have been affected. In a statement given to NME, festival promoter Future Sound Asia described it as a “catastrophic financial blow” and added that it's a "very regrettable situation and we fully acknowledge the impact on our local talent — all of whom have been immensely supportive in these challenging times.”
The class action lawsuit names Healy alongside his bandmates. The collective of musicians and vendors are seeking general damages alongside exemplary and aggravated damages.
Healy, who has been criticized for his comments by LGBTQ+ Malaysians who point to the ways local people could face a potential backlash from authorities, commented on the festival incident via Instagram over the weekend. "Ok well why don’t you try and not make out with Ross for 20 years. Not as easy as it looks," he wrote in an Instagram Story.
The FADER has contacted representatives for the 1975 for comment.
