China cancels upcoming Oasis gigs

BEIJING, March 3 (UPI) -- Oasis says the Chinese government has canceled the British band's April gigs in Beijing and Shanghai after deeming the rockers unsuitable for Chinese audiences.

"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 canceled," Oasis said in a statement issued to The Daily Telegraph. "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."

The shows' promoters told the newspaper the concerts were scrapped after Chinese authorities discovered band member Noel Gallagher had appeared at a "Free Tibet" benefit concert in the United States more than a decade ago. The government then "deemed that the band are ... unsuitable to perform to their fans in the Chinese Republic," the Telegraph said.

Oasis reportedly is still scheduled to perform in Hong Kong April 7.