*** CHINESE GOV WANTS TO CONTROL FOREIGN ARTISTS! ***

[rockNroses]

from Reuters: Icelandic singer Bjork's politically charged outburst at a recent Shanghai concert was an isolated case and would not affect foreign artists coming to China, a senior official said on Thursday. China's Culture Ministry last week said it would tighten controls over foreign artists after Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" after performing her song "Declare Independence".

from foxnews: China will be stricter on foreign performers after Icelandic singer Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" at the end of her concert in Shanghai this week, the government said Friday. A statement by China's Culture Ministry said Bjork's outburst "broke Chinese law and hurt Chinese people's feelings." Bjork shouted "Tibet!" after a passionate performance of her song "Declare Independence" on Sunday. The outburst drew rare public attention inside China to Beijing's often harsh rule over the Himalayan region.

***

Does that mean no more GN'R shows in China? Could you imagine GN'R performing there, playing "Chinese Democracy" under THESE circumstances? Do you think the album will be sold there? Do you think now would be the perfect time to relase the album?

[jarmo]

I think they've always wanted to control what artists are allowed to play and what the allowed ones perform in China.

The Rolling Stones had to drop a few songs from their show when they played in China too.

It's not just songs with a political theme as you can read in that BBC article.





/jarmo

[mrlee]

for a second i thought that was going to say "chinese government wants GNR to release Chinese Democracy"

[CheapJon]

I want to control artists too, but i can't control myself sometimes so..

[ppbebe]

gotta love bjork.  she's a real diva.

I would refrain from making a remark on what I wouldn't really know tho.

for a second i thought that was going to say "chinese government wants GNR to release Chinese Democracy"

heh maybe as it calls itself 'the peoples republic'. 

[fuckin crazy]

All artists should avoid China until the Chinese end their brutal tyranny over Tibet.

[ppbebe]

year but I hear too many different stories about the demo.

[willow]

Yeah they have always controled performers in their country. I for one would never play there. Sorry to the fans that miss out, but we shouldn't  ever back down to that kind of rule in any way. I wish all countries would boycott their products, until their people are treated with dignity and respect.

[Voodoochild]

They played Chinese Democracy there already in 2002 and nothing happened (from what we knew). Also, the tour was called Chinese Democracy tour, I guess.

[ppbebe]

They played Chinese Democracy there already in 2002 and nothing happened (from what we knew).

and it's not like the government didn't have the control then.

[mrbucketfoot]

I thought that Axl was banned from China after their performance in 02? So future tours in China would be obviously problematic.

[lakersaregreat]

I think they've always wanted to control what artists are allowed to play and what the allowed ones perform in China.

The Rolling Stones had to drop a few songs from their show when they played in China too.

It's not just songs with a political theme as you can read in that BBC article.





/jarmo

of course! its not just artists that govt is controlling. the govt controls EVERYTHING in china. China is ruled by the iron first and has been for a long time.

[bodine]

I thought that Axl was banned from China after their performance in 02? So future tours in China would be obviously problematic.

I don't think so, I believe you're thinking of when Axl said that he visited China, that he figured he should do so before he got banned.

[Axl4Prez2004]

All artists should avoid China until the Chinese end their brutal tyranny over Tibet.

Good point and I have to wonder why we are sending our athletes to compete in China.  It will be cool to see one of our athletes on the medal stand making a Free Tibet gesture.     I'm sure the Chinese government is sweating bullets in anticipation of something that's sure to happen...if not by an American, another freedom loving individual.
 

[mrbucketfoot]

I don't think so, I believe you're thinking of when Axl said that he visited China, that he figured he should do so before he got banned.

Yeah, the tone of his voice sounded like he was disappointed or whatever so I thought that he was actually banned. He said something like, "Chinese Democracy....that doesn't quite work for them over there". Or something to that effect.