Bobby Vylan of Bob Vylan crowdsurfs in entrance of the West Holts stage throughout day 4 of Glastonbury pageant 2025 on June 28 in Glastonbury, England.
Leon Neal/Getty Photos
cover caption
toggle caption
Leon Neal/Getty Photos
LONDON — The BBC and the annual Glastonbury Pageant of Up to date Performing Arts have come beneath criticism from the British prime minister and broadcasting regulator after a punk-rap band led chants towards the Israeli army throughout a pageant efficiency which was broadcast dwell on Saturday afternoon.
British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan is now beneath a legal investigation within the U.Okay. after its lead singer, whose stage identify is Bobby Vylan (actual identify Pascal Robinson-Foster), led chants of “Demise, dying to the IDF” — referring to the Israeli army — throughout a Glastonbury set.
The efficiency was streamed dwell by the BBC on its iPlayer service. Inside seconds, the broadcaster added an on-screen warning for viewers about “very sturdy and discriminatory” language.
However prime politicians rapidly criticized the broadcaster’s determination to air the efficiency, together with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who mentioned that it contained “appalling hate speech” and that the BBC had “inquiries to reply.”
Irish rap band Kneecap carry out on the Glastonbury pageant on Saturday.
OLI SCARFF/AFP through Getty Photos
cover caption
toggle caption
OLI SCARFF/AFP through Getty Photos
One opposition lawmaker, Chris Philp, referred to as for the BBC to be prosecuted. The Conservative member of Parliament wrote on X, “By broadcasting his [Bobby Vylan’s] vile hatred, the BBC seem to have additionally damaged the regulation… Our nationwide broadcaster shouldn’t be transmitting hateful materials designed to incite violence and battle.”
In a assertion on Monday, the BBC mentioned it regretted not pulling away from the livestream. It mentioned, “The anti-semitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan had been totally unacceptable” and added that it “respects freedom of expression however stands firmly towards incitement to violence.”
The broadcaster had already determined to not broadcast the Glastonbury efficiency of Irish-language hip-hop band Kneecap dwell.
The band has been vital of Israel previously. This 12 months, the BBC solely made accessible an edited model of Kneecap’s efficiency, by which band members led chants towards Prime Minister Keir Starmer and reiterated help for Palestinians within the Gaza Strip.
Starmer had beforehand mentioned it was “not acceptable” for Kneecap to play Glastonbury, after one of many band members, Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offense, accused of holding up a flag in help of Hezbollah at a London live performance.
Talking in Parliament on Monday, British Tradition Secretary Lisa Nandy mentioned there have been “appalling and unacceptable scenes at Glastonbury on Saturday,” referring to Bob Vylan’s set.
U.Okay. police say a legal investigation has now been launched over each the Bob Vylan and Kneecap performances. An announcement from the police power mentioned the investigation would look into whether or not feedback made by both act amounted to a legal offense, together with regarding hate crimes.
Bob Vylan was on account of carry out within the U.S. later this 12 months. However the Glastonbury look may have repercussions for the band’s tour plans. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X that the members of Bob Vylan would have their visas revoked, including, “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred aren’t welcome guests to our nation.”
Glastonbury pageant organizers say they’re “appalled” by feedback made by Bob Vylan, which they mentioned “crossed a line.”
Bobby Vylan shared a assertion on Instagram after his efficiency, by which he mentioned, “Educating our kids to talk up for the change they need and want is the one means that we make this world a greater place.” Alongside the assertion was the caption: “I mentioned what I mentioned.”
