The 1975 Ruled Not Liable In Malaysian Music Festival Lawsuit

A London judge ruled that The 1975 are not liable in a lawsuit served by Future Sound Asia, the organisers of the Malaysian music festival Good Vibes.

Future Sound Asia filed the lawsuit in a UK High Court, seeking £1.9 million ($2.4 million) in July. The company filed the lawsuit after singer Matty Healy defied the country’s strict anti-homosexuality laws and kissed his bandmate, Ross MacDonald, during the band’s 2023 headlining set.

After the kiss, The 1975’s set was cut by 45 minutes, the remainder of the multi-day festival was cancelled, and Good Vibes’ licence was revoked. While Future Sound Asia sued the band’s production company, The 1975 Productions LLP, and the band members individually, Judge William Hansen ruled that the band members weren’t liable.

AP News reports that on Monday, The 1975’s lawyer, Edmund Cullen, argued that the lawsuit should only target the band’s production company, not the members.

Cullen argued that the case against the band was an “illegitimate, artificial and incoherent” attempt “to pin liability on individuals” as Future Sound Asia only had a contract with the band’s production company.

Judge Hansen agreed, describing the case against the band members as “bad as a matter of law,” saying that there was “no good reason” why it should go to trial. Hansen has allowed the case to proceed against The 1975 Productions LLP but ordered Future Sound Asia to pay $126,000 in legal costs.

Future Sound Asia attorney Andrew Burns stated that authorities initially didn’t allow the band to perform due to reports surrounding Healy’s drug use, but they relented after the band allegedly promised to follow guidelines and regulations.

The band reportedly didn’t “swear, smoke, drink, take off clothes or talk about religion and politics on stage” when they performed at the festival in 2016.

AP News reports that The Malaysian government has blacklisted the 1975.

The 1975 last toured Australia in April 2023, performing in arenas across the country.