When we visit another country, it is good ethics to not overstep their laws and regulations. It is just common sense and showing respect to our hosts to know about their culture and ways of life before we arrive at that destination.
— Brigitte von Bulow, German traveller
GOOD VIBES, indeed! The Good Vibes Festival, one of Malaysia’s largest music festivals, was abruptly cancelled.
This happened after a kiss between Matty Healy, the lead singer of the British band The 1975, and a male bandmate on stage during their performance at this festival.
Healy also went on a political rant against the Malaysian government.
In a speech filled with expletives, Healy criticised Malaysia’s stance on LBGT.
He mentioned that the band considered cancelling the show but decided against it not to disappoint their fans.
The on-stage incident occurred in Kuala Lumpur and led to the Ministry of Communications cancelling the remaining days of the festival.
The band should have stayed away as this would have allowed the many people attending to enjoy the three-day festival.
Following the incident, the festival organisers regretted the cancellation and cited the ministry’s directive as the reason.
The communications minister emphasised the country’s support for creative industries but warned against challenging local traditions and values.
Healy’s actions sparked controversy online, with some fans fearing a crackdown on artistic expression in Malaysia.
Some also criticised Healy’s actions as “performative” and were concerned that he was using the issue of LGBT rights as a way to generate publicity for himself and his band.
This is not the first time Healy has been involved in controversies, as he had previously faced criticism for other on-stage incidents in other countries.
The cancellation of Good Vibes Festival 2023 also sparked a debate about freedom of expression and censorship in Malaysia.
We all support the concept of freedom of expression. However, there is a time, place and platform for such matters.
People going to this festival would have gone for fun and enjoyment. They did not pay to listen to foul language and political views.
A few weeks ago, I penned a piece titled ‘Embracing the Power of Live Music.’ In it, I shared my enthusiasm for live concert events. I urged people to embrace the magic of live music and attend shows to create unforgettable memories.
I also lauded Sarawak’s inclusive attitude towards hosting concerts and highlighted the economic advantages that can be gained from these events.
However, the antics bands like The 1975, give live concerts a bad name, at least in this region. It harms the chances of other live concerts taking place.
We are already facing elements of increasingly conservative policies towards live concerts, and these latest unwarranted antics will only play into the hands of hardliners as a pretext to crack down.
Concerning this incident, Sarawak’s Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said international artistes who display bad attitudes, criticise, disrespect the government or violate the country’s laws should be banned.
Abdul Karim criticised the band’s conduct and urged event organisers to conduct thorough background checks on international artistes before allowing them to perform in Malaysia, suggesting a ban for those who do not comply with the country’s laws and cultural norms.
He has consistently voiced an open-minded and realistic approach towards hosting live concerts in Sarawak.
I concur that some form of screening or assurances could be obtained from performers before their entry; however, these conditions should be manageable.
If creativity is excessively constrained, these live concerts will become less vibrant and dynamic.
In this particular festival, only The 1975 band should have been banned without the festival being cancelled.
Cancelling the entire Good Vibes Festival, a popular event that attracts people worldwide, was an unnecessary and extreme step that inconvenienced many people who bought tickets and spoiled their enjoyment.
I am sure many big and small entrepreneurs involved in the event also suffered financially.
It could be possible that the decision to cancel the entire Good Vibes Festival was a knee-jerk reaction leading to overreaction.
However, it is also possible that the decision was based on the upcoming elections in six Malayan states.
The government may have been concerned that the band’s performance would offend some voters.
Malaysia is a multicultural country with a diverse range of religious beliefs. The government’s decision to cancel the festival can be seen as an attempt to protect the sensitivities of those who may have been offended by the band’s performance.
There were both pros and cons to consider. It is essential to continue discussions and debate the best way to move forward in a multicultural society.
Let us hope only good vibes reverberate at our live concerts in the future.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
