...He says, They Say*
The promoter first said:
China revoked the British rock band's performance licenses and canceled two gigs in Beijing and Shanghai scheduled for April.
The promoters say the concerts were called off when Chinese authorities discovered front man Noel Gallagher had appeared at a “Free T.bet” benefit gig in the U.S. in 1997.
"The Government deemed that the band is unsuitable to perform to their fans in the Chinese Republic," the promoters added.
The band said in a statement: "The Chinese authorities' action in canceling these shows marks a reversal of their decision regarding the band which has left both Oasis and the promoters bewildered."
China said it would tighten controls over foreign singers after Icelandic pop star Bjork shouted T.bet! T.bet!" during her Shanghai concert last year.
Artists are strictly forbidden from performing content that would harm "national unity" or "stir up resentment".
The rest of the bands tour of Southeast Asia will continue as planned including a gig in Hong Kong on April 7.
Then, the same promoter said:
Oasis had said China blocked shows scheduled for Shanghai and Beijing after they found out that band member Noel Gallagher had appeared at a "Free T.bet" benefit concert in the United States in 1997.
But a promoter from Beijing All Culture Communication Co Ltd, a small event company which promotes more ballet and traditional Chinese concerts than rock concerts, told Reuters by telephone it was canceled due to a "tough economic situation."
"I have no money. It's normal in an environment of economic crisis ... It has nothing to do at all with the T.bet problem," said the man, who gave only his surname, Luo. […]
"The Chinese authorities responsible for this, the cultural departments, have already required the organizers to provide more detailed information," he added.
The rest of the Southeast Asian leg of the Oasis tour will go ahead as planned, including a Hong Kong gig on April 7. Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997. […]
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| No China for them... |
* The first case was for Celine
