Serious talk: Fahmi meeting with the Good Vibes Festival 2023 organisers. — Photo courtesy of Fahmi’s Facebook
KUALA LUMPUR: The Good Vibes Festival (GVF) 2023 has been cancelled with immediate effect following the controversial conduct of a participating British pop rock band.
The revocation order followed Matty Healy of The 1975 band slamming the Malaysian government over its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transexual (LGBT) laws during a concert here on Friday night.
He and his male bandmate Ross MacDonald then kissed passionately on stage, in what was seen as an apparent mocking of Malaysia’s stand on the issue.
Healy’s tirade was captured on video by many in the packed audience at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), including the frontman rattling off expletives, holding a bottle of alcohol, and also smoking.
The artiste, an ex-boyfriend of American singer Taylor Swift, was heard saying at the start that he was in “no mood” and that he would not be doing any “uplifting songs”.
The three-day festival was initially scheduled to end today.
Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who issued the revocation order, declared that there will be no compromise when anyone challenged, belittled or violated Malaysian laws.
“I understand this decision will have implications for people who have bought tickets. I have asked the organiser to come out with a compensation mechanism for ticket holders,” he said.
Fahmi, who held a meeting with the concert’s organiser yesterday, said what occurred was totally disrespectful.
“Do not ever touch on issues that are sensitive to society, especially those that go against local customs and our cultural values,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
The Minister said the government was committed to supporting the development of the creative industry and protecting freedom of expression but added that no one should behave in such a manner and exploit sensitivities.
“I will contact the authorities for a full report,” he said.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan said the event organiser, Future Sound Asia (FSA) would be called in to help with the investigation: “We will get to the bottom of the matter,” he said when contacted yesterday.
As the concert took place at the SIC, Comm Hussein said checks would be conducted by police from the KL International Airport.
The band’s performance at the festival was cut short due to non-compliance with performance guidelines, the organiser confirmed. In an official notice posted online, FSA said it was with deep regret that the 10th edition of the GVF had to be cancelled following Healy’s controversial conduct, adding that the cancellation order was issued by the ministry at 1.20pm yesterday.
The Central Agency for Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artistes (Puspal), the body under the ministry responsible for approving foreign artistes’ permits, said The 1975 has been blacklisted from performing in Malaysia.
“The act by the group was totally disrespectful and made a mockery of the country’s laws and values,” it said in a statement, and that a police report has also been lodged against the organiser for negligence and failure to adhere to guidelines.
“When making the application, the organiser gave an assurance that they will take full responsibility for the artistes’ performance,” it said, adding that the ministry would never compromise with anyone who acted provocatively and indulged in indecent acts.
First held in 2013, GVF is one of Malaysia’s biggest international music festivals featuring local and foreign performers.
