Future Sounds Asia sues ‘The 1975’ for $3.76 million over 'gay kiss' and cancelled music festival

British pop-rock band ‘The 1975’ are being sued for $3.76 million by Future Sounds Asia - the organisers of Malaysia's Good Vibes Festival – over a 'gay kiss' which caused the cancellation of the music festival in July 2023.

Appearing at Malaysia’s Good Vibes festival, lead singer Matty Healy criticised the country's anti-LGBTQ laws and kissed bass player Ross MacDonald on stage.

Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia and punishable by 20 years in prison and corporal punishment, and human rights groups have warned intolerance of sexually and gender diverse people is growing.

Following the ‘gay kiss’, the rest of the festival was cancelled while the group was banned from playing in the country.

A statement released at the time advised the decision to cancel was made after an ‘immediate cancellation directive’ came from Malaysia’s Ministry of Communications and Digital as part of its “unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule or contravene Malaysian laws.”

Future Sounds Asia is suing The 1975 and its individual members for $3.76 million, according to UK High Court documents reported by the entertainment publication Variety.

Variety reports that documents lodged with the court claim that The 1975 were aware of prohibitions on certain behaviour while performing, especially since they had performed at the festival in 2016.

The band had reportedly agreed to abide by the restrictions and were paid $US350,000 ($534,960) to perform in 2023.

Variety reports that the lawsuit claims Healy broke the conditions of performing at the festival, including using profane language, drinking alcohol on stage, making a "provocative speech" and taking part in a "long pretend passionate embrace" with his band mate.

While a spokesperson for Future Sound Asia confirmed to the ABC that Variety's reporting was accurate they advised "at this time, Future Sound Asia has no further comments on the matter.”

A representative for The 1975 told the BBC the band had "nothing to add at this time".

According to the ABC, Healy told the 2023 festival crowd in Kuala Lumpur he had "made a mistake" by agreeing to play in Malaysia adding "when we were booking shows I wasn't looking into it.

Prior to launching legal action in the UK, Future Sound Asia previously sent a letter demanding $4.1 million compensation over alleged breach of contract.

Image: The 1975 on stage in 2019. Credit: Shutterstock.