Five documented cases show why musicians or acts may be unable to perform in a country—but they do not establish a verified list of 11. The measures range from a performance blacklist to a denied concert, and some do not bar the artist from entering the country. Here is what was reported, who stated the reason, and what remains known about each case.
Five documented cases—and what “banned” means in each
The table separates restrictions on performing from restrictions on entering a country. “Current status not verified” means the cited reporting documents the original decision or event, but does not establish whether the measure remains in force.
| Country | Artist or act | Date | Measure and stated basis | Status in the cited reporting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | The 1975 | 2023 | Malaysia’s foreign-artiste committee blacklisted the band after its Good Vibes Festival appearance, according to Bernama. Separately, the government later announced a “kill switch” policy allowing organizers to cut power to stop a foreign-artist performance, as reported by CNA. | The blacklisting was reported; whether it remains in force is not verified. |
| China | Justin Bieber | 2017 | Beijing’s municipal culture bureau said Bieber would not be welcome to perform in China, citing his past behavior, according to ABC News Australia. | A historical performance restriction was reported. The reporting does not establish a separate entry ban or current status. |
| Singapore | Massive Attack | July 2026 | After the band’s July 29 concert, Singapore Police Force and IMDA said two members would be barred from re-entering. The regulator also said it would not approve future applications for the band to perform in Singapore. | The July 31 joint statement announced both measures. It does not establish their later status. |
| Egypt | Ragheb Alama and Travis Scott | Reported in 2025 | The National reported that the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate, which licenses performances, had blocked performances by both artists. This is a licensing or performance-approval issue, not established here as an immigration ban. | The report documents the blocks at that time; later status is not verified. |
| Indonesia | Israel Houghton and Israel & New Breed | October 2026 | ANTARA reported on October 5 that the government had banned a Jakarta concert scheduled for October 24, citing security concerns. The report also said the responsible minister stated that organizers had not filed a permit application and Houghton had not applied for a visa as of October 5. | The concert was scheduled for a future date when reported; the cited report does not establish what happened afterward. |
How to distinguish a performance restriction from an entry ban
“Banned from performing” is not a single legal measure. A government or regulator may prohibit future performances, refuse an application, or place an act on a blacklist. A concert may also be stopped or canceled without establishing that the artist is barred from entering the country. The Singapore announcement makes the distinction explicit: it described a re-entry ban for two members and a separate future-performance restriction for the band.
The reasons in these cases are also authorities’ stated explanations, not independent findings of fact. Malaysia’s action followed The 1975’s festival appearance; Singapore’s announcement followed Massive Attack’s concert; Egypt’s reported cases involved performance licensing; and Indonesia’s government cited security concerns while its minister also noted the missing permit and visa applications.
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A recommendation is not necessarily a ban
Moldova offers a useful contrast. In 2026, the culture ministry named artists whose concerts or cultural participation were “not recommended.” Moldpres reported that the recommendation did not constitute a ban. A list, warning, or recommendation should not be described as a prohibition unless its issuing authority says it has that effect.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why this is not a verified list of 11
The documented examples support five cases, not a comprehensive count of eleven musicians. They also differ in date, mechanism, and certainty: some concern a named performance restriction, others a reported licensing block or canceled event, and the available reporting does not confirm whether several measures remain in force. Treating them all as current countrywide bans—or adding unverified names to reach 11—would overstate what is established.
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