Electronic music group Massive Attack has expressed shock and frustration after receiving a lifetime ban from performing in Singapore. The decision followed a concert on 29 July, during which band members Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall displayed a Palestinian flag and joined the crowd in chanting for Palestinian liberation.
The musicians reported that, in the aftermath of the show, they were detained by local authorities, subjected to isolated questioning, and had their hotel rooms searched. Their passports were also temporarily seized. Singaporean police confirmed that the pair have been barred from re-entering the country due to violations of laws concerning the display of foreign flags and political speech at public events.
Although the band did not directly challenge the official ban, they described the incident as a surreal experience. They noted their confusion over how holding the flag of a widely recognized sovereign state could be considered a legal violation. The group stated they felt a sense of pride in joining the audience members who expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Singapore maintains strict regulations on public assembly and discourse, particularly regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict, citing the need to maintain social harmony. The country’s Ministry of Home Affairs previously issued guidance advising against the display of emblems related to the conflict. Massive Attack, known for their vocal political activism, is continuing their world tour with upcoming dates in Australia.