British Band The 1975 Cancels Concerts in Indonesia and Taiwan Following Controversial Show in Malaysia
23 July 2023, 08:47 BST
Image source, Getty Images
The 1975, a popular British pop-rock band, has cancelled their upcoming concerts in Indonesia and Taiwan after their gig in Malaysia was abruptly cut short. Lead singer Matty Healy made headlines when he criticized Malaysia’s anti-LGBT laws during the show and kissed bass player Ross MacDonald on stage. As a result, the band was swiftly banned from playing in the country.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia and can lead to a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. While homosexuality is shunned but not illegal in most of Muslim-majority Indonesia, it is banned in the conservative Aceh province.
The band released a statement saying they had cancelled their Indonesia and Taiwan gigs “due to current circumstances” without providing further details. Taiwan, known for its acceptance of the LGBT community, was the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
The cancellation of The 1975’s performance at Jakarta’s We The Fest music festival in Indonesia on Sunday was also announced through a statement. The band cited the current circumstances as making it “impossible to proceed with the scheduled shows.”
Members of Malaysia’s LGBT community expressed frustration and concerns that the spotlight on their community could lead to increased stigma and discrimination. During the Kuala Lumpur show, Healy voiced his opposition to the country’s restrictions, stating, “I don’t see the [expletive] 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.”
Shortly after the controversial kiss on stage, Healy and the band walked off, and Healy told the audience, “Alright, we just got banned from Kuala Lumpur, see you later.”
As a result of the band’s actions, the festival organizers decided to cancel the remaining line-up for We The Fest, following an “immediate cancellation directive” from Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital. The directive was in line with the ministry’s “unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule, or contravene Malaysian laws.”
Despite Healy’s intentions, some critics, like Malaysian drag queen Carmen Rose, called his actions “performative” and “unruly.” In an interview with BBC World Service’s Newshour, Rose expressed that Healy’s statements did not truly benefit the local LGBT community and accused him of having a “white savior complex.”
Rose also raised concerns that conservative politicians would use the incident as a “scapegoat” during the upcoming state elections in Malaysia. She emphasized that the government is not supportive of the LGBT community, hampering the ability of artists like herself to freely pursue their profession in the country.
A source close to The 1975 defended Healy’s actions, stating that the band wanted to stand up for their LGBTQ+ fans and community. This is not the first time Healy has used his stage presence to highlight anti-LGBT laws. In a 2019 show in Dubai, he invited a male fan on stage, leading to criticism in a country where homosexuality is punishable by 10 years’ imprisonment.
The 1975’s stance against discrimination has sparked discussions on the treatment of the LGBT community and the role of artists in advocating for change. While their concerts may be canceled, their message continues to resonate, bringing attention to the struggles faced by marginalized communities worldwide.
Updated 2 hours ago