Oasis deemed 'unsuitable' to play in China

Oasis are 'extremely disappointed' that their China concerts have been cancelled. Photo / Getty Images

BEIJING — British rock band Oasis' debut concerts in China have been cancelled after the country's authorities deemed them to be "unsuitable".

The shows, scheduled for Beijing's Capital Arena on April 3 and the Shanghai Grand Stage on April 5, would have been the first in mainland China for the group, currently on a world tour promoting its latest release, Dig Out Your Soul.

A statement from Oasis' publicists read: "Representatives from the Chinese government have revoked the performance licenses already issued for the band and ordered their shows in both Beijing and Shanghai to be immediately cancelled.

"Oasis are extremely disappointed that they are now being prevented from undertaking their planned tour of mainland China."

Concert promoters said the concerts were called off after the Chinese authorities found out that Noel Gallagher performed at a "Free Tibet" benefit concert in the US in 1997.

Ticket sales for the show were halted on February 28, according to the official China Daily. Details on ticket refunds would be announced later, according to a statement on the ticketing Web site emma.cn.

Last month, the band had posted on its official Web site that: "Oasis are excited to announce their first-ever shows in China as part of their current world tour." The Web site is temporarily unavailable but the band's MySpace page has no mention of cancellations.

A growing number of Western musical acts have traveled to China in recent years, including the Rolling Stones and Elton John.

However, China closely regulates live performances, especially after Icelandic singer Bjork embarrassed authorities last year by shouting "Tibet!" at the end of her concert in Shanghai.

- AP, NZ HERALD ONLINE