Singaporean law enforcement and media regulatory bodies have opened an official investigation into British trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack, after two band members displayed pro-Palestinian expression during a public concert in the city-state this week, multiple sources confirm. The incident, which took place at the group’s only scheduled Singapore stop on its ongoing world tour on Wednesday, saw two members of the iconic band unfurl a Palestinian flag and chant the slogan “Free Palestine”, according to local media reports and first-hand accounts shared by concertgoers on social media. A number of audience members in attendance joined the demonstration, eyewitnesses added. The BBC has reached out to both the Singapore concert’s organizing team and Massive Attack’s official management for a response to the investigation, but neither party has issued a public comment as of Friday. In a formal response to the BBC’s inquiry, a joint spokesperson for Singapore’s police force and national media regulatory authority confirmed that formal reports have been filed and active investigations are currently underway. The spokesperson added that regulators are also examining whether the performance violated terms of the public entertainment license required for all concerts staged in the country. When asked whether any band members or production staff have been taken into custody or restricted from leaving Singapore amid the probe, authorities have not yet replied. Massive Attack, the trailblazing group that launched the trip-hop music genre, has a decades-long track record of open political advocacy on a wide range of global issues, including the ongoing Israel-Gaza war. Earlier this year, the band’s frontman Robert Del Naja was arrested during a pro-Palestine demonstration in London, where he was charged with supporting Palestine Action – an organization designated as proscribed under UK counter-terrorism law. Following the Wednesday incident, questions have emerged over what potential penalties Massive Attack or its members could face if investigators find violations of Singaporean law. Singapore enforces strict regulations on all forms of public demonstration and political expression, framing these rules as a critical safeguard for the multi-ethnic country’s long-standing social and racial harmony. Under existing local regulations, public display of foreign national symbols such as flags is prohibited without prior official approval or exemption. Individuals found guilty of this offense can face penalties including a fine of up to 500 Singapore dollars (equivalent to roughly £290 or $390), a six-month prison sentence, or both. This is not the first time Singaporean authorities have taken action against public expressions of sentiment tied to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Earlier in 2024, several local activists were fined for organizing an unapproved public walk in support of Palestinian statehood. Back in 2023, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official public advisory banning the public display or wearing of any items linked to the Israel-Gaza war, including foreign national flags and symbols. “We must not let events happening externally affect this peace and harmony we have in Singapore,” the ministry stated at the time. Since the outbreak of the latest conflict, Singaporean police have opened probes into both offline and online activities related to the war, and effectively implemented a total ban on all public gatherings connected to the conflict. Despite its strict restrictions on domestic public expression around the war, the Singaporean government has maintained a consistent official foreign policy position supporting the long-standing two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which calls for the creation of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside a recognized State of Israel, as well as full Palestinian membership in the United Nations. Following the Singapore performance, Massive Attack is scheduled to hold its next concert in Seoul, South Korea on Saturday.
Massive Attack investigated after reports of pro-Palestinian display in Singapore show
