Bobby Vylan of the British rap-punk band Bob Vylan created a stir on June 28, 2025, during a vibrant performance on Day 4 of the renowned Glastonbury Festival, held at Worthy Farm in Pilton, England. As he crowd-surfed in front of the West Holts stage, Vylan led the audience in chanting slogans advocating for Palestinian freedom, which included the provocative phrase 'death, death to the IDF,' directed at the Israel Defense Forces. This bold stance sparked an immediate reaction from festival-goers and authorities alike.

In the wake of these powerful performances, the Avon and Somerset police announced they would launch a criminal investigation regarding the public order incidents that occurred during the festival. Several reports, including one from the BBC, highlighted the police's statement that while they had not specified the precise nature of the investigation, it would be evidence-led and would take into account relevant legislation regarding hate crimes. They described the incident as a public order issue that was still in its early stages of inquiry.

The BBC, which aired Bob Vylan's set, later condemned the reported antisemitic sentiments expressed during the performance. They stated, 'The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.' The network emphasized its commitment to freedom of expression, but made it clear that they firmly oppose any form of incitement to violence. Additionally, festival organizers expressed their dismay in a statement, declaring that Vylan's comments had 'crossed a line.'

The controversy deepened when the U.S. State Department announced plans to revoke the U.S. visas of the two members of Bob Vylan. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau remarked on social media, 'Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,' reinforcing the serious implications of the band's statements.

Parallel to this, the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap also faced scrutiny for their performance that night. The band has gained notoriety for their vocal opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza, a theme they had previously highlighted during their sets at Coachella. Although their performance at Glastonbury was not broadcast by the BBC, Kneecap claimed that pro-Palestine messages had been edited out of their Coachella set and lamented that their criticisms of the 'U.S.-backed genocide in Gaza' had not been aired. Instead, they reportedly incited the crowd with a profane chant directed at U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had criticized their booking at the festival.

This comes in the wake of legal troubles for Kneecap's member, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, who was charged for allegedly supporting a proscribed organization by waving a Hezbollah flag during a concert. He denied the allegations, and recently, U.K. prosecutors dropped charges against the group due to time limits related to a controversial statement made during a past concert.

Following the backlash from their set, talent agency UTA reportedly dropped Bob Vylan from its roster. Despite the fallout, Bobby Vylan defended his remarks on social media, asserting, 'Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.'