The Strokes has apologised following Matty Healy’s antics (Picture: Redferns/Getty; Shutterstock; @bootycallsaul )
An entire festival in Malaysia has been cancelled after the day one headliner, The 1975, caused disruption with Matty Healy kissing bandmate Ross MacDonald.
Sunday’s closing headliner The Strokes have apologised to fans online and are ‘trying to figure something out’ to perform.
Matty launched into a political rant about the LGBTQ+ rights in the Southeast Asian country before engaging in a makeout session with his bass guitarist.
The actions have been heavily criticised online as activists in the country told Metro.co.uk that the 34-year-old ‘did more harm than good’.
Unfortunately for fans attending Good Vibes over the weekend, the entire Kuala Lumpur festival was closed due to the frontman’s behaviour.
Lead vocalist for American rockers The Strokes, Julian Casablancas, posted an apology on the same day they were set to take the stage.
The 1975 frontman came under fire for his behaviour in Malaysia (Picture: Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns)
The 44-year-old wrote: ‘so sorry 🇲🇾Malaysia🇲🇾 just heard the festival was canceled… i know you’ve been waiting 20 years for The Strokes to come play… 😞
‘Currently trying to figure something out … hang on… one way or another will let you know soon.’
Other artists such as Ty Dolla Sign, Bad Habits and The Good Laroi were set to perform over the weekend, with Sabrina Carpenter taking to the stage before the Matty incident.
There are no LGBT+ rights in Malaysia, with homosexuality punishable in the country by fines, caning and prison sentences of up to 20 years.
These laws actually came into place in 1871, during the British colonisation, under ‘sodomy’ and have never been revoked.
The 1975”s performance was cut after half an hour (Picture: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
The statement about the festival’s cancellation outlined that it had been cut short ‘following the controversial conduct and remarks made by UK artist Matty Healy from the band The 1975’.
It continued: ‘This decision adheres to the immediate cancellation directive issued at 1.20pm, 22 July 2023, by the Ministry of Communications and Digital.
‘The Ministry has underlined its unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule, or contravene Malaysian laws.’
The 1975 have also cancelled their upcoming shows in Indonesia and Taiwan, citing ‘current circumstances’ making it ‘impossible to proceed’ with performances.
Matty responded to the backlash with a quip on his Instagram story which said: ‘Ok well why don’t you try and not make out for Ross for 20 years. Not as easy as it looks.’
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The Strokes are desperately trying to sort a new gig.
