The 1975 have decided to cancel their upcoming shows in Indonesia and Taiwan after lead singer Matty Healy made a political statement during their recent performance in Malaysia. Healy criticized Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws and even kissed the band’s bassist onstage. This action has been heavily criticized by local LGBTQ+ activists who accused Healy of having a ‘white savior complex’. They argue that his behavior could further endanger the country’s queer community, especially in light of the upcoming state elections.
Following Healy’s controversial behavior, the band was banned from playing in Malaysia, and the remaining two days of the Good Vibes Festival were shut down. In response, The 1975 have confirmed that they will no longer be performing at We The Fest in Jakarta, Indonesia, or at Taipei Music Centre in Taiwan.
During their headline performance at the Good Vibes Festival, Healy went on a rant against Malaysia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. He expressed his disbelief at being invited to a country only to be told who he can have sex with. Shortly after, he shared a kiss with his bandmate before their set was abruptly cut short.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia, with severe punishments including fines, caning, and lengthy prison sentences. LGBTQ+ individuals have no legal rights or protections, and the gender expression of trans people is explicitly criminalized.
The festival organizers announced that the Malaysian Ministry of Communications and Digital ordered the cancellation of the remaining days due to Healy’s “conduct and remarks”.
Local LGBTQ+ activists fear that Healy’s actions could lead to increased discrimination and political attacks on the queer community in Malaysia. They argue that his protest, although well-intentioned, could be exploited by conservative politicians during the ongoing state election campaign. The timing of the incident is especially worrisome as LGBT issues are often scapegoated for political gain.
The band’s decision to cancel their shows in Indonesia and Taiwan is seen as a response to the backlash they received in Malaysia. Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority country, and although homosexuality is not criminalized in most parts, there are no specific laws protecting the LGBTQ+ community against hate crimes or discrimination. On the other hand, Taiwan recently became the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage and grant same-sex couples full adoption rights.
This is not the first time Healy has faced criticism for his behavior. In 2019, he kissed a male fan at a show in Dubai, where sexual activity between men is illegal. Local LGBTQ+ activists raised concerns about the potential risks Healy’s actions posed to the fan.
In a statement shared on We The Fest’s Instagram page, The 1975 expressed their disappointment and explained that they couldn’t proceed with the scheduled shows due to the current circumstances. Healy has previously expressed regret for his actions in Dubai, acknowledging that he made a mistake.
