I'm so torn on the 1975 incident. I've been feeling odd about Matty for a while (the Adam Friedland podcast really left a sour taste in my mouth) but I do admire his desire to speak up for what he believes is right. It's such a complicated situation, I do respect what he did on the face of it (or on the face of Ross you might say), but I can also see that him doing this and then just taking off doesn't really help anyone but then again, should it be up to musicians to show up to other countries and try to change laws? Or is it enough that they have raised international awareness?
Honestly Luce sometimes I think we share the same brain because what you wrote about the whole 1975 in Malaysia situation is exactly what ive been thinking. Initially when it happened i thought it was awesome like look at this band using their platform to bring awareness to this situation thats so cool of them. but then i started seeing a lot of Malaysian fans perspectives which is who I feel need to be the ones voicing their opinion as it affects them more than anyone else and yeah maybe what they did isnt as fantastic as I initally thought. Im sure they had only the best of intentions and as you said they have always been a political band but it did lack some deeper thinking. From a more western perspective i guess it was a good thing because now a lot more people know about the situation but the way that it has brought unwanted attention from the government to the malaysian queer community isnt as good. i dont really know where im going with this but maybe something is better than nothing? idk i guess its not my place to say i think the best thing that people can do is listen to the queer malaysian community now
I think the 1975 stunt is veering onto the 'performative' aspect of activism. It makes Matty look 'edgy' and like he's willing to defy government laws etc but he did that knowing he'd be able to hop on a jet and fly away with minimal consequences. Even if there were bigger consequences, he's got the backing of a record company who can hire good lawyers and throw lots of money at an issue to make it go away. Additionally, throughout this tour cycle he has continuously searched for ways to push boundaries and get conversations going about him (kissing fans, eating raw meat and so forth). I don't see how this is nothing if not the same concept but altered to be as controversial as possible, for that location. It was myopic, there were no considerations to the effects this has on the queer community in Malaysia, the ones he is supposedly outraged for. More meaningful acts could've been done, like a fundraiser to charities in that area but that's less likely to grab headlines for the band and for this tour.
I totally agree with you. :( I think it does come across as more performative than not (although all activism is inherently performative to a degree). I wonder if they could have done the kiss at the end of their set so it wouldn't have been cancelled, but then at the same time the rest of the festival may have still been cancelled. If the Malaysian government is anti LGBTQIA+ then there may not even be any relevant charities that they could fundraise for. 🥺 Ugh activism is messy! I love it and hate it because it's so necessary and I wish it was unnecessary!
X Corp sounds like a villain enterprise in Batman.
FR or spiderman
I'm so torn on the 1975 incident. I've been feeling odd about Matty for a while (the Adam Friedland podcast really left a sour taste in my mouth) but I do admire his desire to speak up for what he believes is right. It's such a complicated situation, I do respect what he did on the face of it (or on the face of Ross you might say), but I can also see that him doing this and then just taking off doesn't really help anyone but then again, should it be up to musicians to show up to other countries and try to change laws? Or is it enough that they have raised international awareness?
Honestly Luce sometimes I think we share the same brain because what you wrote about the whole 1975 in Malaysia situation is exactly what ive been thinking. Initially when it happened i thought it was awesome like look at this band using their platform to bring awareness to this situation thats so cool of them. but then i started seeing a lot of Malaysian fans perspectives which is who I feel need to be the ones voicing their opinion as it affects them more than anyone else and yeah maybe what they did isnt as fantastic as I initally thought. Im sure they had only the best of intentions and as you said they have always been a political band but it did lack some deeper thinking. From a more western perspective i guess it was a good thing because now a lot more people know about the situation but the way that it has brought unwanted attention from the government to the malaysian queer community isnt as good. i dont really know where im going with this but maybe something is better than nothing? idk i guess its not my place to say i think the best thing that people can do is listen to the queer malaysian community now
i’m so sad that it’s the end of love on tour but i’m so excited to see what harry is going to do next!
yes!!! the man needs a REST
I think the 1975 stunt is veering onto the 'performative' aspect of activism. It makes Matty look 'edgy' and like he's willing to defy government laws etc but he did that knowing he'd be able to hop on a jet and fly away with minimal consequences. Even if there were bigger consequences, he's got the backing of a record company who can hire good lawyers and throw lots of money at an issue to make it go away. Additionally, throughout this tour cycle he has continuously searched for ways to push boundaries and get conversations going about him (kissing fans, eating raw meat and so forth). I don't see how this is nothing if not the same concept but altered to be as controversial as possible, for that location. It was myopic, there were no considerations to the effects this has on the queer community in Malaysia, the ones he is supposedly outraged for. More meaningful acts could've been done, like a fundraiser to charities in that area but that's less likely to grab headlines for the band and for this tour.
I totally agree with you. :( I think it does come across as more performative than not (although all activism is inherently performative to a degree). I wonder if they could have done the kiss at the end of their set so it wouldn't have been cancelled, but then at the same time the rest of the festival may have still been cancelled. If the Malaysian government is anti LGBTQIA+ then there may not even be any relevant charities that they could fundraise for. 🥺 Ugh activism is messy! I love it and hate it because it's so necessary and I wish it was unnecessary!
Oh dear Harry! It all comes down to this feeling. This exact feeling he was chasing all through. Love! Love of fans! ❤️