Photo via The 1975’s Facebook

The 1975 have been slapped with a hefty financial blow, facing a demand to pay RM12.3 million (equivalent to approximately $2.6 million) in damages following their headlining performance at the Good Vibes music festival in Malaysia. This development comes after the group’s July 21 appearance in Kuala Lumpur, which took an unexpected turn when lead vocalist Mattew Healy criticized Malaysia’s homophobic laws.

During their performance, Healy shared a defiant kiss with bassist Ross MacDonald, then addressed the audience, denouncing personal freedom restrictions. Amid explicit gestures, Healy conveyed his frustration, asserting, “If you want to invite me here to do a show, you can fuck off. I’ll take your money, you can ban me, but I’ve done this before and it doesn’t feel good, and I’m fucked off.” He also stated, “I don’t see the fucking point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.” The hard yet righteous stance prompted Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital to cancel the remaining two days of the festival. As the dust settled, Future Sound Asia, the organizers of the Good Vibes festival, stepped forward with a resolute intention to seek financial redress from The 1975.

While the exact figure remained undisclosed then, it has now come to light that the demand stands at a staggering $2.6 million. David Matthew, an attorney representing Future Sound Asia, expounded on the legal grounds for the claim, asserting that the band’s actions constituted a breach of contract in a statement to Rolling Stone. He emphasized that a pre-show written commitment had been made by Healy’s representative, explicitly pledging adherence to local guidelines and regulations during the performance in Malaysia.

Furthermore, reports indicate that a collective of Malaysian musicians, who were originally slated to perform at the Good Vibes festival, are preparing to initiate a class-action lawsuit against The 1975. Their grievances stem from the substantial financial losses incurred due to the abrupt cancellation of festival dates, resulting in a potential legal quagmire for the band.

With a deadline of Aug. 14 looming, The 1975 faces a critical juncture, requiring prompt resolution of the damages demand to avert potential legal consequences. The aftermath of their Malaysian performance has indeed thrust the band into a tumultuous legal landscape, underscoring the far-reaching implications of their onstage actions.