Massive Attack say their entire band was detained, questioned separately and subjected to searches after displaying a Palestinian flag during a concert in Singapore. Two members have now been barred from returning, while the group has effectively been banned from performing in the country again.
The incident occurred during Massive Attack’s July 29 performance at The Star Theatre. Footage showed founding members Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall holding a Palestinian flag onstage as audience members chanted “Free Palestine.” One of the musicians also repeated the phrase from the stage.
Singapore restricts the public display of foreign national emblems without permission. The concert’s licence reportedly included an additional condition prohibiting flags supporting political causes. In an official joint statement, the Singapore Police Force and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said two unnamed Massive Attack members were investigated for supporting a political cause and displaying a foreign flag.
Both received “stern warnings” for offences under the Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act and Public Order Act. Neither was charged, but both will be banned from re-entering Singapore. Although authorities did not name the musicians, reporting and footage from the performance identified them as Del Naja and Marshall.
Massive Attack later offered a more extensive account of what happened after the concert. In a statement posted to Instagram, the group said its “entire band” had been detained, isolated and questioned separately. Some members also had their hotel rooms searched and passports temporarily confiscated.
The touring lineup included a live backing band and guest vocalists, including Cocteau Twins singer Elizabeth Fraser, according to Reuters.
Massive Attack said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the response, arguing that the group had not expected displaying the flag of Palestine to violate Singaporean law. The band nevertheless said it was proud to have joined fans in what it called an impromptu expression of solidarity.
Singaporean authorities defended the action by warning against “importing foreign politics,” which they said could threaten the country’s racial and religious harmony.
The consequences extend beyond the two individual re-entry bans. IMDA said it will reject any future application for Massive Attack to perform in Singapore. The agency is also continuing to investigate possible breaches of the event’s licence conditions and has not yet announced whether the concert organizer will face additional action.
For now, the case has ended without criminal charges against the musicians — but with two personal entry bans, an effective countrywide performance ban for Massive Attack and a still-open licensing investigation.
