Bob Vylan, the fiery British punk-rap duo known for their politically charged performances, ignited a storm of controversy during their set on Glastonbury’s West Holts Stage this past weekend. Midway through their performance, frontman Bobby Vylan shouted “Free, free Palestine!” before leading the crowd in a highly charged chant, “Death, death to the IDF,” referencing Israel’s Defense Forces.
The moment, captured on live stream and shared widely online, has since drawn both fierce backlash and vocal support.
On Instagram, Bobby stood by his words, posting a bold caption: “I said what I said,” acknowledging the tidal wave of reactions, both messages of support and condemnation that followed.
In the days since Glastonbury, the fallout has been swift. Several upcoming festival appearances for Bob Vylan — including shows in Manchester, France, and Germany have been abruptly canceled.
The BBC, which aired the performance on iPlayer, responded with a statement saying there is “no place for antisemitism” in its programming and confirmed that an internal review is underway.
Adding to the turbulence, Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation into the performance, while U.S. authorities have taken it a step further.
The U.S. State Department has officially revoked the band members’ visas. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated the decision was in response to the band’s “hateful tirade,” declaring, “There is no place for incitement to violence in our country.”
Despite the mounting controversy, Bob Vylan has remained defiant. Responding to the show cancellations, they told fans, “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting.”
Their words reflect a broader message they shared in a recent post: “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way we make this world a better place. As we grow older… it is incredibly important that we inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.”