It’s been less than a month since the cancellation of Good Vibes Festival 2023 (GVF2023) and it’s safe to say that many of us have yet to fully heal from the experience.
On top of that, discussions are still going on online, in regards to The 1975’s Matt Healy’s behaviour during GVF2023 set, which led to the cancellation in the first place.
A British television and radio presenter, and journalist, Sangita Myska, has since taken to the LBC (Leading British Conversations) TikTok page to share her opinion on the matter, calling what Healy did as ‘Western Arrogance’.
LBC wrote, “The Malaysian government cancelled a festival due to ‘remarks made by UK artists Matt Healy from the band The 1975’. Matt Healy kissed his bandmate, Ross MacDonald, on stage in Kuala Lumpur after protesting against the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws.”
In the video, Myska shared that she agrees with Healy’s message (which is fair as everyone has a right to their own opinion), but disagrees with how Healy delivered it, putting Malaysian LGBTQ+ community members in a difficult position.
“I agree with the message. I’m not even against them protesting on stage. But, what I do think is they didn’t really take on board the local consequences for local people.”
“And it doesn’t sound as though they even decided to talk to local LGBTQ+ communities. And there is an arrogance, a western arrogance, in that,” she said.
Should The 1975 have had a chat with the Malaysian LGBTQ+ community, they perhaps would have steered the band away from doing something that has jeopardised the livelihoods of so many people.
You can check out her conversation here:
@lbc The Malaysian government cancelled a festival due to “remarks made by UK artist Matt Healy from the band The 1975”. Matt Healy kissed his bandmate Ross MacDonald on stage in Kuala after protesting against the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. #lbc #sangitamyska #matthealy #1975 #festival #lgbtqia #gayrights
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: Organisers of Good Vibes Festival Demands that The 1975 Compensate Them for Damages
