BEIJING, China (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Touring in China has proved difficult for two American rock bands, as both Sonic Youth and Pretty Girls Make Graves ran into obstacles along their respective Far East treks.
Sonic Youth first encountered trouble with the communist-ruled government in late April in Beijing, when their hand-picked openers, local power trio Car-Sick Cars, were banned from performing by China’s Ministry of Culture one hour before showtime. The government organization, the final word on permit-issuance for rock shows, would not allow the Chinese group to perform with Sonic Youth because of their past involvement in the Free Tibet cause.
Sonic Youth’s performance went on as scheduled, and, according to Pitchfork, the band gave the embattled Car-Sick Cars a shout out before their take on “Kool Thing.”
Now in the middle of their final farewell tour, Pretty Girls Make Graves also found some trouble in China, and were forced to scrap their entire 4-date Chinese tour. According to PGMG’s label Matador, the band was unable to secure work visas in time to play due to some miscommunications with promoters. The band will remain in the US to close out their final run of dates. –by CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
