ALIFE, the coalition representing the Malaysian live performance industry, has issued a statement in response to the Good Vibes Festival (GVF)’s recent cancellation, asserting its support for Future Sound Asia (FSA), the festival’s organisers.
ALIFE reaffirms their belief that this event is an anomaly and not indicative of the festival or the industry at large. This episode has potential implications for artist and audience confidence, the industry’s overall reputation and financial value. In the 2022/23 period, ALIFE members’ hosted approximately 152 ticketed events, selling over 500,000 tickets and generating some RM210 million in gross revenue.
“Over the past decade, the Good Vibes Festival has maintained an exemplary track record of organising exceptional contemporary festivals in Malaysia. The festival has consistently featured a diverse selection of artists, attracting both local and international attendees, all while ensuring excellent organisation and safety standards,” said Rizal Kamal, ALIFE President.
ALIFE, having vast experience in organising thousands of live events over the past decade, stands by the organiser, commending their swift and decisive action to halt the show when Matty Healy of The 1975 veered off-script during the band’s performance. At the press conference, ALIFE acknowledged that the Central Committee for the Application for Filming and Performance by Foreign Artists (PUSPAL), and FSA have meticulously screened artists, considering their past performances in Malaysia before granting them permission to perform. The 1975 incident should not overshadow the thousands of successful performances by international artists in Malaysia.
Following the GVF incident, ALIFE, FSA, and the government have engaged in constructive dialogue and reached a consensus to move forward positively and to support and safeguard the live performance industry. Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications and Digital of Malaysia, has pledged increased cooperation between the government and event organisers to solidify the industry. The shared objective of these efforts is to protect the live performance industry and foster a thriving arts scene in Malaysia.
ALIFE is optimistic about the recovery and continued growth of the Malaysian live events industry, citing their commitment to collaborative work with the government, festival organisers, and all stakeholders for improvements and learning opportunities from this incident. They firmly believe that this setback is an opportunity for growth and development rather than a trigger for stricter regulations.
Ben Law, Founder of FSA, the organiser of GVF, said, “In GVF’s 10-year history, we have never faced such an occurrence because we have always upheld a strict policy of adhering to local performance guidelines. We will learn from this isolated incident and together with PUSPAL, we are looking forward to possibly devising a framework which would specifically cater to the unique characteristics of multi-day and multi-act music festivals.”
ALIFE, FSA, and the entire Malaysian live performance industry are committed to fostering a vibrant and flourishing arts atmosphere in Malaysia. With ongoing support from government authorities and stakeholders, they are confident in the sector’s resilience and the potential for a stronger, more sustainable live music scene.
