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The 1975’s Malaysia performance casts shadow over future pro-LGBTQ acts in Indonesia
In Indonesia, while some fans blamed the front man for his performative activism, many members of the queer community stated that it also opened space for more people to spew hate toward LGBTQ people in the country.
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People take part in a rally against the LGBTQ community in Bogor, West Java, on July 14, 2023. (Antara/Arif Firmansyah)
T
he controversy surrounding British band The 1975 has prompted criticism and concern in both Malaysia and Indonesia regarding the front man’s stunt, claiming that what he did was “performative activism” and led to uncertainty over future LGBTQ events.
The pop-rock band, one of the most anticipated acts in Indonesia’s three-day festival We The Fest, was scheduled to headline on Sunday in Jakarta, before the controversy in Kuala Lumpur caused them to cancel the show.
At their show on Friday in the Malaysian capital, front man Matty Healy kissed the band’s bassist Ross MacDonald onstage as he addressed his regret about performing in a country that bans homosexuality.
“I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with,” Healy said before the kiss, adding that he “made a mistake” when they were booking shows.
Healy’s act led the band’s set to be cut short and prompted the Malaysian government to cancel the festival, which was scheduled to continue until Sunday.
The pop-rock band announced on Sunday that they canceled their headline set in Jakarta that day and a standalone show in Taipei on Tuesday “due to current circumstances”.
Malaysian fans said the controversy has only left the LGBTQ community in Malaysia to deal with the consequences of his action.
