The Kid Laroi surprised fans over the weekend with an impromptu performance at a Kuala Lumpur hotel bar.
The 19-year-old Australian hitmaker was due to headline Saturday’s Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia but was canceled following the kissing controversy on stage at The 1975.
The Kid Laroi, whose real name is Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, said he was “drunk” but was keen to perform in front of the fans.
According to Billboard, he has released several of his hits including Stay, Diva and Thousand Miles.
“Two things before I begin.” I’m very drunk, number one. Since the show was canceled I had no choice but to go straight to the bar. “So here I am,” he reportedly told the crowd.
The Kid Laroi surprised fans over the weekend with an impromptu performance at a Kuala Lumpur hotel bar. The 19-year-old Australian hitmaker was due to headline Saturday’s Good Vibes Festival in Malaysia but was canceled following the kissing controversy on stage at The 1975
“I’m with my friends today and figured since everything has been canceled and I’m here anyway, I might as well come over and sing a few songs.” “Thanks to the hotel for making this possible for me,” he added.
For the impromptu appearance, Laroi kept a casual look, sporting a maroon and white striped leotard and beanie.
The 1975s were banned in Malaysia and the entire Good Vibes Music Festival was canceled after frontman Healy kissed his male bandmate on stage.
Healy, 34, who recently made headlines for his whirlwind romance with Taylor Swift, slammed Malaysia’s anti-gay laws in a vulgar speech at the Kuala Lumpur festival before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald.
The 1975s were banned in Malaysia and the entire Good Vibes Music Festival was canceled after frontman Healy kissed his male bandmate on stage
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia and laws criminalizing bestiality carry the penalty of imprisonment.
Authorities also regularly discriminate against LGBTQ people in the country, and human rights groups have been warned of rising intolerance.
Healy hit back at Malaysian hardliners, who banned him from performing in the country after the kiss in protest at anti-LGBT laws.
The 1975 have now canceled two upcoming tour dates in Asia.
The English pop-rock group announced that performances at We The Fest in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sunday and Taipei Music Center in Taiwan on Tuesday will be canceled before their American tour begins next month.
Healy, 34, who recently made headlines for his whirlwind romance with Taylor Swift, slammed Malaysia’s anti-gay laws in a vulgar speech at the Kuala Lumpur festival before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald. (pictured at the Brit Awards 2019)
On Sunday, Healy also released a series of throwback snaps with bassist MacDonald to hint at a very close relationship between the two and poke fun at the ban.
The outspoken singer responded to the ban and festival cancellation, writing, ‘Okay why don’t you try not making out with Ross for 20 years?’ Not as easy as it looks.’
He also shared a video of a speech by author and speaker Christopher Hitchens amid the AIDS crisis, in which he said, “Homosexuality isn’t just a form of sex — it’s a form of love.”
Healy also appeared to edit an image of his classic Men In Black-style hat on a map of Malaysia to once again disagree with the authorities’ decision.
The Good Vibes Festival issued a statement following the kissing storm announcing the cancellation of the rest of the event
He then posted a screenshot of his Twitter trending name Mad World from Tears For Fears.
In the clip posted by Healy, Hitchens said, “The brothers and sisters of our society who succumbed to this terrible disease did not die of sex or their sexuality.”
“Remember, homosexuality isn’t just a form of sex — it’s a form of love.”
“If you can’t live with that, I think you’re poorer.”
In his speech before the controversial and passionate kiss, Healy said, “I don’t see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with.”
He added, “I made a mistake.” “When we booked shows, I didn’t bother.”
“Unfortunately you don’t get a lot of pep songs because I’m freaking angry and that’s not fair to you because you’re not representative of your government because you’re young people and I’m sure a lot of you guys are gay, progressive and cool.”
He later abruptly ended the set by saying, “Okay, we have to go.” “We just got banned from Kuala Lumpur.”
A source close to the band told Web over the weekend, “Matty has long been a champion of the LGBTQ+ community and the band wanted to speak up for their LGBTQ+ fans and the community.”
Malaysian Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil condemned the kiss, calling it a “very rude act”. He then canceled the rest of the three-day festival
The 1975, consisting of Healy, bassist MacDonald, lead guitarist Adam Hann and drummer George Daniel, has also been banned from performing in Malaysia, according to a government committee that oversees performances by foreigners.
The on-stage protest wasn’t the first time Healy kissed a male fan at a 2019 concert in the United Arab Emirates, which also has strict anti-LGBTQ laws.
Malaysia’s Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil promised swift action early Saturday, publishing a news report on the kiss, calling it a “very rude act”.
He later ordered the “immediate cancellation” of the three-day festival after meeting with organizers.
“Never touch community sensibilities, especially those that go against local culture mores and values,” he said in a subsequent tweet.
In a statement also published on Twitter, the festival confirmed that the cancellation came on the instructions of the Department of Communications “following the controversial behavior and comments of British artist Matty Healy”.
“The Ministry has underscored its unwavering stance on any party questioning, ridiculing or violating Malaysian law,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, Healy’s mom, Loose Women star Denise Welch, proudly tweeted, “He’s my son” and a rainbow emoji in response to the now-viral kissing video.
The incident sparked an outcry on social media, including from some members of the LGBT community, who accused Healy of “performative activism” and said his actions were likely to subject the community to even more stigma and discrimination.
But others rushed to his defense, instead criticizing the law in Malaysia for being so strict in the first place.
The 1975, consisting of Healy (centre right), bassist MacDonald (left), lead guitarist Adam Hann (right) and drummer George Daniel, were also banned from performing in Malaysia