A UK band has been banned from Malaysia after frontman Matty Healy kissed his male bandmate on stage and criticised the country's homosexuality laws.
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The 1975 was performing at Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur on July 21 when Healy revealed he had nearly pulled out of the show the day before.
"I feel bad for you guys. I made a mistake when we were booking shows I wasn't looking into it," he told the crowd.
"I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.
"And I'm sorry if that offends you and you're religious and it's part of your f---ing government."
After the on-stage rant Healy kissed bandmate and bass guitarist Ross MacDonald.
A few songs later Healy told the crowd they "just got banned from Kuala Lumpur".
In Malaysia homosexuality is a crime with punishment of up to 20 years imprisonment for same-sex acts.
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The 1975 were headlining the first night of the three-day festival which was celebrating its 10th year.
"This decision adheres to the immediate cancellation directive issued... by the Ministry of Communications and Digital," the organisers said.
"The Ministry has underlined its unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule, or contravene Malaysian laws."
Healy responded to the news on Instagram story with a screenshot of the festival statement.
"Ok well why don't you try and not make out with Ross for 20 years. Not as easy as it looks," he said.
The band has since cancelled upcoming shows in Jakarta and Taipei "due to current circumstances".
Australian singer The Kid Laroi was booked to headline the second night but arrived in the country to find out it had been scrapped.
In light of the cancellation he put on an impromptu show from his hotel lobby.
"I just figured since everything got cancelled and I'm here anyway I may as well come and do a couple songs," he told fans.
