Current:Home > InvestMalaysia's government cancels festival after The 1975's Matty Healy kisses a bandmate-LoTradeCoin
Malaysia's government cancels festival after The 1975's Matty Healy kisses a bandmate
View Date:2024-12-23 23:03:40
Matty Healy is known for sharing a kiss on stage, typically with a stranger, as part of his performance.
But in Malaysia, that routine act — this time, kissing male bandmate Ross MacDonald — led to a host of trouble for the band and the music festival that had invited the group to play.
On Saturday, the Malaysian government canceled the annual Good Vibes Festival, which was set to run until Sunday, as well as banned The 1975 from ever performing in Malaysia again — adding that the band displayed "rude" actions and statements.
"The government is always committed to supporting the development of creative industries and freedom of expression. However, never touch the sensitivities of the community, especially those that are against the manners and values of the local culture," Fahmi Fadzil, the country's communications minister, wrote on Twitter.
The British pop rock band performed at the festival in Kuala Lumpur, the nation's capital, on Friday night. During their set, Healy informed the audience that he had made a "mistake" agreeing to come to the country.
"When we were booking shows, I wasn't looking into it," he said. "I don't see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with."
Healy went on to deliver an impassioned speech criticizing the country's anti-LGBTQ laws. Then, he gestured to the group's bassist, Ross MacDonald, to come closer and the two kissed and embraced before they went on to perform "I Like America and America Likes Me."
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation. A statement on the festival's website says Malaysia's Ministry of Communications stands "against any parties that challenge, ridicule or contravene Malaysian laws."
This isn't the first such action by Healy. In 2019, the singer kissed a male audience member at a concert in Dubai in defiance of anti-LGBTQ laws there.
The band was scheduled to perform in another Muslim-majority country, Indonesia, on Sunday, and Taiwan on Tuesday, but cancelled the concerts at short notice on Sunday morning.
"The 1975 regret to announce that their forthcoming shows in Jakarta and Taipei will no longer be going ahead as planned," the band said in a statement Sunday on the We The Fest Instagram page.
"The band never take the decision to cancel a show lightly and had been eagerly looking forward to playing for fans in Jakarta and Taipei but unfortunately, due to current circumstances, it is impossible to proceed with the scheduled shows."
There are local laws discriminating against LGBTQ+ people in Indonesia but its national laws have never made homosexuality a crime. Taiwan is home to a large LGBTQ community.
The band's team did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment.
NPR's Chloe Veltman contributed reporting.
veryGood! (616)
Related
- Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says next year will be his last in office; mum on his plans afterward
- Putin is expected to seek reelection in Russia, but who would run if he doesn’t?
- Wind industry deals with blowback from Orsted scrapping 2 wind power projects in New Jersey
- DWTS' Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater Share Insight Into Their Close Bond
- Brianna LaPaglia Addresses Zach Bryan's Deafening Silence After Emotional Abuse Allegations
- Cornell University student accused of posting online threats about Jewish students appears in court
- Southern Charm's Olivia Flowers Reveals Brother Conner's Cause of Death
- Schitt's Creek Star Emily Hampshire Apologizes for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Halloween Costume
- Nevada Democrats keep legislative control but fall short of veto-proof supermajority
- Gunman arrested after taking at least 1 hostage at post office in Japan
Ranking
- Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: When is 76ers star's NBA season debut?
- See the Photo of Sophie Turner and Aristocrat Peregrine Pearson's Paris PDA
- Amy Robach, T.J. Holmes go 'Instagram official' after cheating scandal with joint podcast
- Delta says pilot accused of threatening to shoot the captain no longer works for the airline
- South Carolina to take a break from executions for the holidays
- 'The Golden Bachelor' offers more years, same tears
- Eminem's Daughter Hailie Jade Shares Rare Insight Into Bond With Sibling Stevie
- Jury selected after almost 10 months for rapper Young Thug’s trial on gang, racketeering charges
Recommendation
-
Song Jae-lim, Moon Embracing the Sun Actor, Dead at 39
-
House weighs censure efforts against Rashida Tlaib and Marjorie Taylor Greene over their rhetoric
-
Amy Robach, T.J. Holmes go 'Instagram official' after cheating scandal with joint podcast
-
New Nike shoe is designed to help toddlers learn how to walk: See the Swoosh 1
-
KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
-
Apple announces new MacBook Pros, chips at 'Scary Fast' event
-
Jason Aldean stands behind 'Try That in a Small Town' amid controversy: 'I don't feel bad'
-
Asia’s first Gay Games to kick off in Hong Kong, fostering hopes for wider LGBTQ+ inclusion