Massive Attack Investigated in Singapore After Palestinian Flag Display On Stage

Massive Attack played a single Singapore date at The Star Theatre on Tuesday, July 29, 2026, and it's now the subject of a government probe. During the show, two band members held up a Palestinian flag on stage and led the crowd in chants of "Free Palestine," according to The Straits Times. Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said it is investigating whether the performance breached the terms of its licence.

What the investigation involves

Singapore law prohibits public display of a foreign national emblem without a permit or exemption; violators face fines of up to S$500 (roughly NT$12,000), up to six months in prison, or both. The Singapore date was the only stop on this leg of the band's tour in the country.

Promoter Lushington confirmed it was aware of the reports and said it would "fully cooperate with the relevant authorities as required." Videos circulating on social media show the two members raising the flag to cheers from the audience. One attendee told CNA that the band also led the crowd in chanting along.

The band told the audience during the show that it had dropped one song from its Singapore setlist because of "local laws," without naming the track.

Part of a longer pattern for the band

Massive Attack has boycotted performing in Israel since 1999. Last month, member Robert Del Naja invited Palestinian activist Arab Barghouti — son of imprisoned political figure Marwan Barghouti — to speak during what was to be the band's headline set at Primavera Sound Barcelona. That set was cancelled due to severe weather, but Barghouti still appeared on stage to speak during Gorillaz's headline set the same weekend.

Del Naja was arrested earlier this year at a Palestine Action demonstration in London's Trafalgar Square and later wrote about the experience in a lengthy Instagram post. The band has also backed the No Music For Genocide campaign and announced a full boycott of Spotify.