Photo by Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images
The 1975 have axed the remaining dates on their Asian tour following a performance in Malaysia in which frontman Matty Healy protested anti-LGBTQ laws in the country, leading to their set being cut short by organizers.
The band's performance at Kuala Lumpur’s Good Vibes festival on Friday, July 21, was brought to an abrupt end after Healy spoke about his conflicted feelings while on stage in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal and those convicted can be imprisoned. The remaining days of Good Vibes were subsequently called off by organizers, with headline sets from The Strokes and The Kid Laroi canceled in the process.
The 1975 were due to perform at Jakarta, Indonesia’s We the Fest on July 23, with a further date in Taipei, Taiwan scheduled for Tuesday, July 25.
The 1975 regret to announce that their forthcoming shows in Jakarta and Taipei will no longer be going ahead as planned.
— We The Fest (@WeTheFest) July 23, 2023
Please see the official statement from the band. pic.twitter.com/XpZskFnyeD
“The 1975 regret to announce that their forthcoming shows in Jakarta and Taipei will no longer be going ahead as planned,” the group said in a statement. “The band never takes 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.”
Healy told fans during the band's Good Vibes set that he was unaware of Malaysia's hardline stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
“I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasn’t looking into it,” Healy told fans at the Sepang International Circuit venue. "I don’t see the fucking point, right, I do not see the point of inviting the 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with."
Healy continued, “I am sorry if that offends you and you’re religious and it’s part of your fucking government, but your government are a bunch of fucking retards and I don’t care anymore. If you push, I am going to push back. I am not in the fucking mood.”
The concert was cut short, just 45 minutes into the band's set, after Healy kissed bass player Ross McDonald.
