Malaysia Cancels Music Festival After The 1975’s Matty Healy Kisses Male Bandmate

Kuala Lumpur’s Good Vibes music festival was canceled midway through by the Malaysian government after The 1975‘s Matty Healy criticized the country’s anti-LGBTQ laws.

The event organizers wrote in a statement that due to Healy’s “controversial conduct and remarks,” Malaysia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital initiated an “immediate cancellation directive” that shut down the festival.

They also said, “The Ministry has underlined its unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule or contravene Malaysian laws.”

In a separate statement, the festival said that Healy’s behavior was “unprofessional” and an “overt defiance of Malaysian laws and regulations.” They added that the singer used the concert “as a platform to express his personal views.”

During the band’s performance on Friday, Healy expressed regret to fans for accepting Good Vibes’ invitation to perform, citing that he didn’t know about Malaysia’s laws against same-sex relationships. Following his statement, he kissed bassist Ross McDonald.

After the band performed their seventh song, “I Couldn’t Be More in Love,” their set was canceled. Healy explained to the crowd that they “just got banned from Kuala Lumpur.”

This isn’t the first time Healy has protested anti-LGBTQ laws. In 2019, he kissed a male audience member at a Dubai concert.

Good Vibes would have featured headliners The Kid Laroi and The Strokes on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

“Touched down & found out the festival is canceled,” The Kid Laroi posted in an Instagram story. “I love you Malaysia, I’m sorry.”