Massive Attack displays Palestinian flag at Melbourne concert after Singapore ban

British trip-hop band Massive Attack displayed a Palestinian flag on stage during their Melbourne concert in a show of solidarity with Gaza, continuing a pattern of activism that recently led to their ban from Singapore.

The group performed at Rod Laver Arena on August 11, as part of their first Australian tour in 16 years.

Images and video circulating on social media show the Palestinian flag adorning the stage amid the band’s set, which featured core members Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall alongside guest vocalists.

The Palestinian flag adorns the stage of the band Massive Attack in Melbourne, Australia, during a concert in solidarity with Gaza and in rejection of the aggression. pic.twitter.com/ILry8QIwjD

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) August 12, 2026

This Melbourne appearance follows closely on the heels of a similar protest at the band’s July 29 concert in Singapore.

There, Del Naja and Marshall unfurled a Palestinian flag near the end of the show at The Star Theatre while the audience joined in chants of “Free Palestine.”

Singapore authorities responded swiftly. Police investigated the two members for “actions of support for a political cause and unfurling of a foreign flag,” issuing them stern warnings under the Foreign National Emblems (Control of Display) Act 1949 and the Public Order Act.

Both men were barred from re-entering the country, and the Infocomm Media Development Authority stated it would reject any future performance applications by the band.

Singapore maintains strict rules prohibiting the public display of foreign national emblems without a permit, citing the need to protect racial and religious harmony in its multi-ethnic society.

Authorities have previously advised against displays related to the Gaza conflict due to heightened sensitivities.

A police statement emphasized that the force “take[s] a serious view of acts which could potentially harm the racial and religious harmony in Singapore” and urged the public, including foreigners, not to import foreign politics.

Massive Attack issued a detailed response on Instagram after the Singapore incident. “Following our performance at the Star Theatre, Singapore on 29th July, we were surprised and disappointed that our entire band was detained by the police, isolated, and separately questioned—with some members subjected to hotel room searches and temporary passport confiscation,” the band said.

They noted that large sections of the audience had organically led “Free Palestine” chants before and after the show.
“For our part, we did not imagine that merely holding up the flag of a sovereign state recognised by 157 countries (Palestine) would violate any law.”

The group expressed pride in the moment of solidarity. “On reflection, we are proud to have made this impromptu expression with our fans in Singapore who clearly felt a moral imperative to show solidarity with the people of Palestine in their ongoing reality of illegal occupation, apartheid, and genocide, and we salute their courage in doing so,” they wrote.

The band described the experience as a “surreal” reminder of the importance of defending human rights and freedom of expression, while calling on Singapore to allow citizens greater space for expressions of conscience.