Bob Dylan Barred From China, Cancels Some Asian Tour Dates

Bob Dylan was hoping to perform for the first time in mainland China this summer during an Asian tour that also includes stops at a few cities in Japan. But he won’t be able to play in Shanghai, Beijing or anywhere in China, according to The Guardian: Apparently, the Chinese ministry of culture, which has to approve all foreign musical acts before they can perform in China, doesn’t take kindly to Dylan’s former status as a counter-culture icon.

The ministry supposedly started cracking down on performers after Bjork led a chant of “Tibet! Tibet!” during a 2008 concert in Shanghai. Oasis was also refused permission to play in China last summer because of Noel Gallagher’s participation in a Tibet freedom benefit concert during the ‘90s. Because he can’t play in mainland China, Dylan is canceling other dates, including planned shows in Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea.

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