The 1975: Sued for On-Stage Kiss

Last summer the The 1975playing at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur as part of the Good Vibes festival in Malaysia, caused a stir when they broke the conservative and homophobic laws imposed by the government and the singer kissed the bassist of the group on stage in front of the audience. This gesture led to the closure of the entire musical event. (Read here)

Malaysian festival demands $2.4 million from British band after Matthew Healy (vocals) and Ross MacDonald (bass) kissed on stage in protest, as homosexuality is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The move drew the ire of authorities and the festival’s organizers, Future Sound Asia. A year later, they sued the British group for $2.4 million (€2.2 million).

The Good Vibes organizers initially sought $2.6 million (€2.4 million) in damages from the group, following the government’s decision to end the music event. The 1975 are accused of breach of contract by Futur Sound Asia.

Prosecutors say it was a premeditated protest. Court documents filed with the UK’s Royal Courts of Justice by the festival’s organisers say the group was aware of the restrictions they had to comply with, and had even agreed to abide by them.

In the end, the English chose to continue participating, but completely changed their lineup and planned to break the rules to contest them. In the complaint, the singer, in addition to the kiss, is accused of a long list of crimes such as drinking alcohol and acting “as if he were drunk”, smoking cigarettes, “pretending to vomit on stage” and “excessive spitting, including in the direction of the audience”, giving “a speech full of profanity” and damaging a drone rented by the organizers of the festival.

For its part, the band has not yet declared its defense.