Oasis won’t be performing its first ever shows in China after all. The Chinese government has revoked the performance licenses issued to the U.K. rock act.
The band’s Chinese promoters Emma Entertainment/Ticketmaster China informed them on Saturday (Feb. 28) of the government order to cancel the April 3 show at Beijing’s Capital Arena and the April 5 show at the Shanghai Grand Stage.
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According to a statement issued by the band and its management, the licensing and immigration process had been “fully and successfully complied with well before the shows went on sale.”
The statement adds that the Chinese government’s reversal of their decision “has left both Oasis and the promoters bewildered.”
According to the promoters, officials within the Chinese Ministry of Culture only recently discovered that Noel Gallagher appeared at a Free Tibet benefit concert on Randall’s Island in New York City in 1997. Consequently, Oasis is considered unsuitable to perform in the People’s Republic of China during its 60th anniversary year.
“Oasis are extremely disappointed that they are now being prevented from undertaking their planned tour of mainland China and hope that the powers that be within China will reconsider their decision and allow the band to perform to their Chinese fans at some stage in the future,” the statement concludes.
The rest of the South East Asian leg of the band’s tour including the Hong Kong show will go ahead as planned.
Although growing numbers of western acts, including the Rolling Stones and Elton John, have performed in China in recent years, the government regulates and monitors live performances. Icelandic singer Bjork’s reference to Tibet at a Shanghai concert last year prompted a clampdown on foreign acts the authorities considered inappropriate.