Festival organisers defend inviting The 1975 but condemn kissing stunt

The organisers of Good Vibes Festival (GVF) today defended their decision to invite pop rock band The 1975 but condemned its indecent behaviour on stage.

Wan Alman Ariffin, the entertainment director at event agency Future Sound Asia (FSA), said they invited the band because it has a sizeable fan base in the country.

Despite past controversial incidents during the band’s performances in other countries, he said FSA was assured from the band’s management that they would adhere to all rules and regulations while performing in the festival.

“I think it is easy to say in hindsight that they are problematic. But when we first announced The 1975 as part of the GVF, the fans were excited.

“Yes, they did have an incident in Dubai four years ago but they have played many, many shows since then without any incident,” Wan Alman said.

He was referring to an incident in 2019 when Matt Healy violated the United Arab Emirates’ anti-homosexuality law by kissing an audience member during the band’s performance in Dubai. The stunt had resulted in Dubai banning the group.

Wan Alman said The 1975 had also played in many other performances since without incident.

“Do we really want to go down that route where we immediately ban artistes for something they did in other countries a few years ago?

“Because if we go down that route, then a lot of artistes won’t be able to perform,” he said when pressed further on more recent incidents involving The 1975 and why FSA appealed with Malaysian authorities to bring in the band after its first application was rejected.

FSA entertainment director Wan Alman Ariffin

Wan Alman said the organisers had done their best to prevent such an incident, and what happened was “solely the fault of Healy and The 1975”.

Screening more difficult now

Arts, Live Festival and Events Association (Alife) chairperson Para Rajagopal admitted that industry players have to improve their screening process.

But, he said, it has also become harder for event promoters to screen the artistes they want to bring into the country.

According to Para, the country used to have clear guidelines on what is considered acceptable for performances in Malaysia, with rules and regulations that were mainly about the attire of performers.

“Earlier, most of the issues were very clear on certain guidelines that Malaysia can’t accept, sexy not sexy.

“The guidelines have become more and more, and it is becoming a bit more difficult for us to screen what is right and what is wrong,” Para said.

Alife chairperson Para Rajagopal (left)

Isolated incident in 10 years of GVF

Meanwhile, FSA founder Ben Law told the press conference that FSA does not accept nor condone what the band did on stage.

He said Healy had contravened local performance guidelines and violated Malaysia’s laws and regulations, but stressed that it was an isolated and unforeseen incident.

“We do not accept or condone such behaviour, and Healy’s conduct deserves to be condemned. His display has left a trail of consequences for Malaysians. This incident was isolated and unforeseen, and contrary to the agreement we have with the band.

“In GVF’s 10-year history, we have never faced such an occurrence because we have always upheld a strict policy of adhering to local performance guidelines, which include no smoking, no drinking, no swearing, and no indecent acts on stage, among other things,” he said.

According to Law, the organiser had also received a written letter from The 1975’s management ensuring they would adhere to local laws and regulations.

“We trusted the band’s commitment, especially given their successful and compliant performance at the 2016 Good Vibes Festival. When the incident occurred, we acted as swiftly as possible to mitigate it,” he said. - Mkini