Palette music group cancels Iran tour over female musician restrictions

The Iranian music group Palette has announced the cancellation of its nationwide concert tour. The group stated that the decision follows restrictions in certain cities where female musicians are prohibited from performing on stage.

In a statement, the seven-member group emphasized that they will only perform when all members can appear together, including flute player Shaghayegh Sadeghian. This move highlights long-standing, unwritten restrictions regarding female performers in Iran, which often stem from administrative practices by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance rather than explicit constitutional laws.

Other recent incidents reflect similar challenges for musicians in the country. The group Lian, led by Mohsen Sharifián, also faced cancellation in Ahvaz after being asked to exclude female musicians. Additionally, Alireza Ghorbani’s concert in Khorasan Razavi was postponed due to what authorities described as “certain timing considerations.” These events occur despite a recent national music document aimed at reviewing the licensing system and preventing interference in the permit issuance process.