Asian News 10/11

Beyoncé Knowles headed off rumors that her scheduled concert in Kuala Lumpur on November 1 would be blocked by local authorities by canceling it herself.

On October 1, she scrapped the show in Muslim-majority Malaysia amid speculation that she objected to the country’s strict dress code, which bars the kind of revealing attire she’s known to wear on stage. Instead, the R&B star will do her November 1 concert in Jakarta, the capital of neighboring Indonesia, which is also a Muslim country but doesn’t make demands on how performers should dress or behave.

International Creative Management, Knowles’ agency, said the Kuala Lumpur concert had to be canceled because of "scheduling conflicts," according to a statement made available to the press by the concert’s Malaysian organizers, Pineapple Concerts.

Previously it was reported that Knowles was reluctant to adhere to the Malaysian government’s rules that all performers cover up from the tops of their torsos to their knees. Even the shoulders cannot be exposed.

"It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of The Beyoncé Experience World Tour in Kuala Lumpur," the ICM statement read, going on to say Knowles "is looking forward to performing for all her fans in Kuala Lumpur in the near future."

Pineapple Concerts Chairman Razian Ahmad, who has also brought Kanye West and Earth, Wind & Fire to Malaysia, said he was "disappointed and frustrated."

In Asia, Knowles will also perform in Thailand, China and India.

 

NY Philharmonic To NK?

The New York Philharmonic may perform in North Korea early next year, according to various media reports.

Representatives of the orchestra, including president Zarin Mehta and public relations director Eric Latzky, were said October 6 to have arrived in Pyongyang to explore the possibility of the group performing sometime in February in the secretive communist country. The orchestra is already set to tour China February 7-25.

"It’s a country that none of us have ever dreamed of going to," Mehta said from Beijing. "The next three or four days are going to be very eye-opening for us."

Mehta said the negotiations have the support of the U.S. government, and that a State Department official would accompany the Philharmonic representatives on their trip.

"In as much as this is something that both sides are interested in exploring, we will do what we can to facilitate it," said State Dept. spokesman Sean McCormack.

Talks were also being supported by Christopher Hill, the chief U.S. negotiator over the matter of North Korea’s nuclear facilities, who was ambassador to South Korea when the Philharmonic toured there in 2004.

 

China Yue Fest A Hit

Add another music festival to China’s fall concert schedule.

The Yue Festival, which took place in Beijing and Shanghai in the first week of October thanks to the efforts of local facilitator Split Works, was headlined by the dance outfit Faithless, which wrapped up its world tour at the Shanghai gig October 5.

Also on the bill were Ozomatli and Talib Kweli, as well as a number of local acts. The West Coast indie phenomenon Yacht was added at the last minute.

Festival partners included Bacardi and Converse. The event took place during China’s National Day Golden Week.

The international bands played "warmup gigs" October 2-3 at The Star Live in Beijing. The Shanghai festival was an all-day affair held at Zhonshan Park.