British frontman Matty Healy is known for a lot of things, but no more than 1. kissing people onstage, and 2. causing many, many an uproar.
This weekend, he's managed to do both at the same time - and it's caused an entire music festival to be shutdown.
Hold up - who is Matty Healy?
Fair question! Healy is the frontman of British pop rock band The 1975. They gained a major following in the early 2010s, especially during the internet's peak 'Tumblr era', and have enjoyed a pretty solid career ever since.
They're regulars on the festival circuit and most recently toured Australia in April.
And if none of that helps, this might: he was Taylor Swift's chaotic rebound earlier this year.
Okay. What happened?
Malaysia's government has halted a three-day music festival in the capital Kuala Lumpur after just one day, following an onstage kiss between Healy and The 1975's bassist, Ross MacDonald, of British pop rock band The 1975.
In videos posted on social media, Healy shared a speech criticising the Malaysian government's stance against homosexuality and its anti-LGBTQI laws, before kissing MacDonald.
He said the band, who were headlining the festival's first night, had considered pulling out of the show but did not want to disappoint fans in Malaysia.
"I made a mistake," Healy said.
"When we were booking shows, I wasn't looking into it.
"I don't see the f***ing point... of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with."
Healy cut short the set after just 30 minutes onstage.
"All right, we gotta go," he told the crowd.
"We just got banned from Kuala Lumpur - I'll see you later."
Other artists on the lineup performed impromptu, last-minute gigs at smaller venues and encouraged their fans to support local food vendors and businesses impacted by the cancellation.
The 1975 were due to play festivals in Jakarta and Taiwan this week. These appearances were subsequently cancelled on Sunday.
"Due to current circumstances, it is impossible to proceed with the scheduled shows," the band said in a statement. "Thank you for your understanding and continued support."
-With AAP.
Feature image: Getty/TikTok.
Love watching TV and movies? Take our survey now to go in the running to win a $100 gift voucher.
Top Comments