Massive Attack’s concert in Singapore on Wednesday (29.07.26) has triggered an official probe after the English trip hop duo ended their performance by raising a Palestinian flag onstage.
The moment, greeted with loud cheers from the audience, may have violated Singapore’s strict rules on displaying foreign national symbols.
Authorities confirmed on Friday (31.07.26) that both police and media regulators are reviewing the incident at The Star Theatre for “a possible breach of license conditions.”
Officials said Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall held up the flag during the final moments of the show, prompting immediate attention under Singapore’s regulations governing the public use of national flags.
Singapore requires a permit for any public display of overseas flags, and the Palestinian flag is considered highly sensitive amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the country’s sizable Muslim community. Government agencies have repeatedly cautioned that imagery linked to the war could heighten tensions.
The show’s promoter, Lushington, issued a brief statement following the announcement of the investigation, noting: “We will fully cooperate with the relevant authorities as required.”
The incident follows a 2023 advisory from Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs, which urged the public to avoid wearing or displaying items connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
At the time, officials warned that the issue remained “emotive” and stressed the importance of protecting Singapore’s “peace and harmony between different races and religions.”
Teardrop hitmakers Massive Attack have long incorporated political messaging into their performances. If Investigators conclude that the flag display breached licensing rules, both the band and the promoter could face consequences under local law.
The pair’s latest activism comes almost a month after Massive Attack planned a political moment during their Primavera Sound Barcelona headline set. Robert Del Naja had arranged for Palestinian activist Arab Barghouti – the offspring of jailed politician Marwan Barghouti – to address the crowd. But heavy rain forced the show to be abandoned.
Arab did, however, get to speak at the start of Gorillaz’s set at Primavera.
He said: “My father is one of 10,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, but for millions of Palestinians he represents something that Israel cannot imprison: hope.”
Similarly, Irish hip-hop group Kneecap were pulled into a UK counter-terrorism inquiry after allegedly showing a symbol linked to Hezbollah – a group designated as a terrorist organization by the UK government – during a London performance. One member, Mo Chara, faced a terror-related charge, but authorities ultimately dropped the case due to a technical error in the filing of the case.
