Massive Attack banned from Singapore after displaying the Palestinian flag on stage

Massive Attack will no longer be able to perform in Singapore. Local authorities have decided to bar the English band from returning after what happened during their concert on 29 July at The Star Theatre, when a Palestinian flag was displayed on stage. In a joint statement, the police and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) announced that two members of the group, whose names have not been disclosed, received a "stern warning" at the end of the investigation launched after the show. According to the authorities, the two musicians reportedly expressed support for a political cause and displayed a foreign flag during the concert, in violation of the Public Order Act. Both have been permanently barred from re-entering the country.

The IMDA also announced that Massive Attack will no longer be granted permission to perform in Singapore. Following the concert, numerous videos circulated on social media showing the band waving the Palestinian flag to cheers from the audience. The authorities also claim that one of the musicians chanted the slogan "Free Palestine". In Singapore, the public display of foreign flags without authorisation is subject to strict restrictions and can result in a fine of up to 500 Singapore dollars, a prison sentence of up to six months, or both.
The investigation, however, is not yet closed. The IMDA is also looking into a possible breach of the conditions attached to the concert licence, and has stated that it will take further action should any other irregularities come to light.

Massive Attack's commitment to the Palestinian cause has long been well known. The group has boycotted concerts in Israel since 1999, and in recent weeks Robert Del Naja had invited Palestinian activist Aarab Barghouti to speak ahead of the band's planned show at Primavera Sound in Barcelona, later cancelled due to bad weather. Earlier in 2026, the band's founder was also arrested during a demonstration in London against the ban imposed on the Palestine Action movement, later describing the arrest as "illegitimate".

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