Rising popstar Dua Lipa made her first trip to Shanghai, China yesterday, but the night turned sour as fans in the crowd were aggressively kicked out of the show.
According to concertgoers on social media, people were forcibly removed from the crowd simply for standing up, dancing, or waving pro-gay rights flags. Throughout the night, Lipa began to cry and addressed the audience, saying, “I want to create a really safe environment for us all to have fun.”
Dua Lipa Cried In Shanghai China Tonight pic.twitter.com/Tz17SRGpiH
— Liability (@958353005) September 12, 2018
“I want us all to dance,” she said. “I want us all to sing, I want us all to just have a really good time. I would love in these last few songs for us to really, really, really enjoy ourselves. How about that?”
However, videos circulated of fans being visibly ripped from the crowd by guards, and a fan was even kicked by a guard outside.
I just CANT believe it. This is the show of Dua Lipa in Shanghai. All the fans are forbidden to stand out and could only sit on to see the show?!? If you don’t, the guard would use violence to kick u out. It’s unbelievable… #dualipa pic.twitter.com/quITZNLVxU
— Ｎｅｏ (@imneo_) September 12, 2018
At @DUALIPA ‘s shanghai tour, few people been kicked out by the safeguard because they’re waving Rainbow Flag #Dualipa #LGBT pic.twitter.com/3zhWXnaadK
— SubwaySucker (@dr_jolin) September 12, 2018
Outside of the concert, the guards even kicked a fan physically… pic.twitter.com/1nx3WHf8F2
— Ｎｅｏ (@imneo_) September 12, 2018
A Twitter user explained that at concerts, Chinese fans can’t always stand up, noting that it’s “up to the security guard.”
“Our government seldom values human rights, so in a concert, if we want to protect ourselves, we should respect and listen to these security guards and can do nothing but just say no when other audience is being ill treated,” they said.
Homosexuality is not illegal in China, however, LGBT groups are often face harsh criticism and anti-LGBT attitudes do exist.
This morning, Lipa released a statement via Twitter about the events that took place last night.
“Last night I did it for my fans. A promised show. I stood by them, sang with them and danced with them. I will stand by you all for you love and beliefs and I am proud and grateful that you felt safe enough to show your pride at my show. What you did takes a lot of bravery. I always want my music to bring strength, hope, and unity. I was horrified by what happened and I send love to all my fans involved. I would love to come back for my fans when the time is right and hopefully see a room full of rainbows. I love you Shanghai.”
According to BBC, it’s recently become more common for bigger names to play in Shanghai, but it is known as a very difficult city to book shows in. Before foreign artists can perform there, China’s Ministry of Culture runs background checks on artists and their team, sometimes even requesting to see set lists up to five months in advance to “approve lyrical content.”
Lipa is due to play Manila, Philippines tomorrow night.
Visit Ticket Club to find tickets to see her on tour this year
