In their ongoing dispute with a Malaysian festival over an onstage kiss between Matty Healy and bassist Ross MacDonald, an English judge has spared the members of the 1975 any individual liability.
On February 24, a ruling from Judge William Hansen threw out claims by the Future Sounds Asia festival organizers that targeted the four members of the band. Following last weeks arguments on the matter, Hansen concluded that these claims were “bad as a matter of law and there is no reason why” they should go to trial, writing:
“There were no personal dealings between [Future Sound Asia] and the band members.” “The band members were entitled to limit their liability by incorporating the LLP to enter into contracts for their foreign performances. They are not the same as the LLP, which is a distinct and separate legal entity.”
Despite the current ruling, Future Sound Asia will, in fact, be able to continue its lawsuit against the 1975’s corporate entity, The 1975 Productions LLP, which signed the contract with the festival.
The dispute between the English band and the Malaysian festival erupted when the 1975 played the Good Vibes festival in Kuala Lumpur in July 2023, at which time lead singer Healy criticized the country’s strict laws against same-sex relationships, then kissed McDonald. As a result, 1975’s set was cut short and the Malaysian government canceled the rest of the festival. Future Sounds Asia eventually took the band to court for $2.4 million over claims of breach of contract.
The 1975 have denied any responsibility and previously claimed that festival organizers should’ve known the band’s history of supporting LGBTQ rights onstage and that by booking the group, they “voluntarily accepted” the possible consequences, including a revoked permit. (In 2019, for instance, Healy kissed a male fan on the lips in Dubai and unfurled a pride flag in Russia.)
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: Markus Maier