Malaysian festival organisers claim The 1975 delivered a "second-rate set of songs" to "punish and upset the Malaysian audience and authorities" in court hearing

The 1975's legal representatives have argued that individual band members should not be held personally liable for the controversial incident that led to the shutdown of Malaysia's Good Vibes Festival in 2023.

The band's defence comes as part of an ongoing lawsuit from festival organisers Future Sound Asia (FSA), who are seeking £1.9 million in damages after frontman Matty Healy and bassist Ross MacDonald shared an on-stage kiss during their performance in Kuala Lumpur.

During a High Court hearing, the band's representative Edmund Cullen described the claim as an "illegitimate, artificial and incoherent" attempt to "pin liability on individuals". Cullen argued it was "quite bizarre" to hold members personally responsible when organisers had contracted with the band's company.

FSA's representative Andrew Burns countered that the members "deliberately behaved in a way to challenge and provoke the Malaysian authorities". Burns noted that the band had previously agreed to specific performance guidelines during their 2016 appearance, including restrictions on swearing, smoking, drinking, and discussing religion and politics.

Burns further alleged that the band "smuggled" wine on stage and delivered a "second-rate set of songs" to "punish and upset the Malaysian audience and authorities". In a written submission, he stated: "The band should be held liable as the loss was caused by their intentional misbehaviour breaching the express assurances that were given which gave rise to their personal duties of care and their responsibility for their own personal behaviour."

During the original incident, Healy addressed the crowd, saying: "I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with. I am sorry if that offends you and you're religious and it's part of your fucking government, but your government are a bunch of fucking r*****s and I don't care anymore. If you push, I am going to push back."

The hearing is set to conclude on later today (19th February).