THE Good Vibes Festival (GVF), which is slated to be held on July 20, has been cancelled out of respect for the coronation ceremony of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
In a statement on Monday (July 1), Future Sound Asia said the central agency for applications for filming and performances by foreign artistes (PUSPAL) had informed that organisers are barred from holding concerts featuring foreign acts on July 20.
“Due to the nature of the Good Vibes Festival which involves multiple touring acts over multiple days, rescheduling the festival is not possible. As a result, Future Sound Asia is announcing the cancellation of the festival,” the organiser said.
“All GVF ticket purchasers will automatically receive full refunds through the payment method used for their purchase.”
GVF 2024 was supposed to have taken place at Resorts World Awana in Genting Highlands.
This is the second year in a row that GVF has been cancelled.
Recall that last year, the festival courted controversy when English pop rock band The 1975’s lead singer Matt Healy criticised Malaysia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) laws before kissing a male bandmate.
The controversial on-stage stunt did not sit well with Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil who expressed his disapproval of the “very rude” act.
The minister called for a meeting with the festival organiser, Future Sound Asia, and immediately ordered the cancellation of the remaining festival.
The band was subsequently blacklisted from performing in Malaysia. – July 1, 2024
Main pic credit: Prestige Hong Kong
