Massive Attack Banned From Singapore After Displaying Palestinian Flag Onstage
British trip-hop group Massive Attack has been permanently banned from Singapore after founding members Robert "3D" Del Naja and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall displayed a Palestinian flag near the end of their show at The Star Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. Singapore police opened an investigation, issued both men a formal "stern warning," and barred them from re-entering the country. The band has since published its own statement condemning the move as censorship.
What happened onstage
According to international media reports, Del Naja and Marshall unfurled the flag near the end of the set, with one of them shouting "Free Palestine" as the crowd cheered and joined in the chant. Footage spread quickly on social media, triggering the police investigation.
Singapore's response
Police said the show's organiser had acknowledged the licence conditions in advance, but the two band members displayed a foreign flag onstage anyway. Citing Section 3 of the Foreign National and International Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949 and Section 16 of the Public Order Act, authorities issued stern warnings to both men and declared them permanently banned from re-entering Singapore. Media regulator IMDA said it is investigating possible breaches of the licence conditions and will take necessary action once the review is complete — and stated it will not approve any future performance applications from the band. This show was the only Singapore date on the band's current tour.
Key lines from the joint Singapore Police Force / IMDA statement:
- "Notwithstanding the event organiser's prior acknowledgement of the licence conditions, during the performance, two band members held a foreign flag on stage, and one of them also shouted 'Free Palestine.'"
- "The police take a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore and urge the public, including foreigners, to refrain from importing foreign politics as this can undermine our social cohesion and the rule of law."
- "The peace and harmony between different races and religions in Singapore should not be taken for granted, and we must not let external events affect our society."
- "Both men will also be banned from re-entering Singapore."
The band's statement
Massive Attack posted a full statement on its official Instagram (@massiveattackofficial), criticising the Singapore government's censorship policy. The band said the flag display was a statement of humanitarian solidarity and called on the international community to defend freedom of expression and basic human rights. The statement drew widespread reaction and discussion on social media.
Background: Massive Attack's political stances
Massive Attack has long been known for outspoken political positions, using stage visuals, lyrics, and onstage statements over the years to speak against war, racial discrimination, and on climate issues. The band has refused to perform in Israel since 1999, describing it as a form of nonviolent pressure. In 2025, they helped form a coalition of musicians in solidarity with Palestine, and said some artists had faced industry pressure for speaking out publicly. In April 2026, frontman Del Naja was arrested during a Palestine Action solidarity protest in London's Trafalgar Square, where more than 200 people were arrested. The Singapore incident is the band's most direct diplomatic-level clash in recent years.
Singapore authorities have long strictly regulated public political expression, explicitly banning the display of any foreign flag or national emblem without permission. The incident has drawn wide international media attention and sparked industry discussion over the boundary between artists' freedom of expression and venue/government regulations across different countries.