Good Vibes Festival 2023 has been cancelled after an incident involving English pop rock band The 1975. The festival, which had just started, was scheduled to take place over three days at the Sepang International Circuit but was abruptly cancelled due to a controversial on-stage stunt that violated Malaysian laws.
Good Vibes Festival 2023 Cancelled
The on-stage stunt by British band The 1975’s lead singer Matt Healy and bassist Ross MacDonald included a profanity-laden rant against Malaysia’s anti-LGBT laws, followed by a deep kiss between the two men. The Communications and Digital Minister, YB Fahmi Fadzil, expressed his disapproval of the “very rude” act, resulting in the immediate cancellation of the festival.
The incident sparked intense debate on social media and gained international attention. Fadzil addressed the issue on his Instagram page, stating that there would be no compromise with anyone who challenges or violates Malaysian laws.
In addition to the festival cancellation, Singaporean singer Dhruv, who was scheduled to perform, apologized to his fans on Instagram for not being able to attend. He claimed to have been barred from entering Malaysia.
The cancellation left festival-goers who had already purchased tickets disappointed. The event organizers have yet to issue an official statement but urged ticket holders to contact them for compensation.
Fadzil emphasized that the cancellation was not intended to stifle creative expression but was a response to an act that was deemed disrespectful and non-compliant with Malaysian laws. He warned against touching on issues that go against local customs and cultural values.
The Organizers’ Statement
The event organizers, Future Sound Asia, released a statement addressing the issue. They stated that The 1975’s management team assured them of adherence to local performance guidelines, which Healy did not honor. The organizers are now left to deal with the consequences of his actions.
Ben Law, Founder and Director of Future Sound Asia, expressed disappointment and called this a challenging time for them. The cancellation of Good Vibes Festival 2023 has raised concerns about the future of music festivals in Malaysia.
The refund process for ticket holders is yet to be announced. The organizers assured that updates will be provided as soon as possible.
(Hero and feature images credit: Instagram/ @goodvibesfest)
