Foreign bands entering Hong Kong for gig at Hidden Agenda detained at border, a week after bands arrested in raid on venue
Heavy metal acts Insomnium, from Finland, and Orpheus Omega, from Australia, detained for three hours after crossing into city from Shenzhen, but will not perform at Kwun Tong indie venue tonight after being allowed in
Two foreign heavy metal bands were detained at the border for three hours on Wednesday after crossing over from Shenzhen for a scheduled performance at troubled indie venue Hidden Agenda tonight.
In a post on the venue’s Facebook page, Hidden Agenda said the Finnish metal band Insomnium and Australian act Orpheus Omega had been detained by immigration officials “for no reason”.
A spokeswoman for Hidden Agenda said the band members were released after three hours of questioning and allowed to enter Hong Kong, but added that tonight’s performance would not be going ahead.
It is understood that the bands did not have work visas and entered Hong Kong as tourists after signing an agreement that they would not be performing tonight.
A spokesman for the Immigration Department refused to comment on individual cases, but says all people entering the city are subject to examination and inquiries about the purpose of their visit and to determine if they meet entry requirements.
“This includes inquiries about whether they hold valid travel documents which match the purpose of their visit. We also consider whether the travellers have undesirable records from the past,” the spokesman says.