Bobby Vylan of Bob Vylan crowdsurfs in entrance of the West Holts stage throughout day 4 of Glastonbury competition 2025 on June 28 in Glastonbury, England.
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Leon Neal/Getty Pictures
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 in opposition to the Israeli navy throughout a competition efficiency which was broadcast dwell on Saturday afternoon.
British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan is now beneath a legal investigation within the U.Ok. after its lead singer, whose stage identify is Bobby Vylan (actual identify Pascal Robinson-Foster), led chants of “Demise, demise to the IDF” — referring to the Israeli navy — 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 high politicians rapidly criticized the broadcaster’s choice to air the efficiency, together with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who stated that it contained “appalling hate speech” and that the BBC had “inquiries to reply.”
Irish rap band Kneecap carry out on the Glastonbury competition on Saturday.
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OLI SCARFF/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
One opposition lawmaker, Chris Philp, known 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 legislation… Our nationwide broadcaster shouldn’t be transmitting hateful materials designed to incite violence and battle.”
In a assertion on Monday, the BBC stated it regretted not pulling away from the livestream. It stated, “The anti-semitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan have been completely unacceptable” and added that it “respects freedom of expression however stands firmly in opposition to 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 essential of Israel previously. This yr, the BBC solely made out there an edited model of Kneecap’s efficiency, during which band members led chants in opposition to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and reiterated assist for Palestinians within the Gaza Strip.
Starmer had beforehand stated it was “not applicable” for Kneecap to play Glastonbury, after one of many band members, Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offenseaccused of holding up a flag in assist of Hezbollah at a London live performance.
Talking in Parliament on Monday, British Tradition Secretary Lisa Nandy stated there have been “appalling and unacceptable scenes at Glastonbury on Saturday,” referring to Bob Vylan’s set.
U.Ok. police say a legal investigation has now been launched over each the Bob Vylan and Kneecap performances. A press release from the police drive stated the investigation would look into whether or not feedback made by both act amounted to a legal offense, together with referring to hate crimes.
Bob Vylan was on account of carry out within the U.S. later this yr. However the Glastonbury look could 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 are usually not welcome guests to our nation.”
Glastonbury competition organizers say they’re “appalled” by feedback made by Bob Vylan, which they stated “crossed a line.”
Bobby Vylan shared a assertion on Instagram after his efficiency, during which he stated, “Educating our kids to talk up for the change they need and want is the one method that we make this world a greater place.” Alongside the assertion was the caption: “I stated what I stated.”
