23-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) The Kid LAROI, the Australian rapper and singer, demonstrated his commitment to his fans in Malaysia after the unexpected cancelation of the Good Vibes Festival, where he was scheduled to headline on Saturday (July 22).
The festival’s abrupt cancelation occurred following The 1975’s performance on Friday, during which the band’s frontman, Matty Healy, passionately criticized Malaysia’s restrictive LGBTQ laws as “f—ing ridiculous” and shared a kiss with bandmate Ross MacDonald on stage. In response to this incident, Good Vibes Festival issued an official statement, citing a directive from the Ministry of Communications and Digital, which maintains an “unwavering stance against any parties that challenge, ridicule, or contravene Malaysian laws.”
In the absence of the festival on Saturday night in Kuala Lumpur, The Kid LAROI decided to bring an abbreviated version of his show to a local hotel bar, refusing to let his fans down.
Addressing the modest yet enthusiastic crowd that had gathered, LAROI humorously shared, “Two things, before I start. I’m very drunk, number one. Ever since they canceled the show, I had no other option but to go right to the bar. So here I am.” He expressed his gratitude to the hotel for allowing him to perform and stated, “I just figured since everything got canceled and I’m here anyway, I may as well come and do a couple songs.”
LAROI began his impromptu mini set with “Thousand Miles.” Though the exact order of the hotel bar set list remains unclear, various fan-captured video clips indicated that he also sang “Stay,” “Without You,” and “Diva.”
As he concluded his surprise performance, he playfully joked that if he had been able to perform on the festival stage that night, “I’d be way better, I wouldn’t be drunk, and I’d actually know how to talk to you guys.”
Before his hotel bar performance, LAROI had expressed his disappointment on his Instagram Stories, sharing, “touched down & found out the festival is canceled… I love you Malaysia, I’m sorry,” and later posted a selfie with fans at the hotel, writing, “Met some new friends, what’s uuuupppp.”
In anticipation of the evening’s events, LAROI had announced on his Instagram Stories, “Might sing some songs in the hotel bar fk it.”
Despite the festival’s cancelation, The Kid LAROI’s spontaneous and intimate performance at the hotel bar undoubtedly left a lasting impression on his fans, showcasing his dedication to his art and connection with his audience.
#KidLaroi speaks about the canceled event #goodvibesfestival and decided to play a few songs for fans pic.twitter.com/62Yke7gj76
— misaki loves DPR ???????? (@DPRBABY_) July 22, 2023
❤️???????? pic.twitter.com/jYWzL5TqTs
— The Kid LAROI Updates (@thekidlaroii) July 22, 2023
YOU FUCKIN LEGEND #thekidlaroi #kidlaroi #goodvibes #the1975 pic.twitter.com/mbNdpbgmfU
— pewpewblek (@pewpewblek) July 22, 2023
