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.
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Leon Neal/Getty Photographs
LONDON — The BBC and the annual Glastonbury Pageant of Modern Performing Arts have come underneath criticism from the British prime minister and broadcasting regulator after a punk-rap band led chants in opposition to the Israeli army throughout a pageant efficiency which was broadcast dwell on Saturday afternoon.
British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan is now underneath a felony investigation within the U.Ok. after its lead singer, whose stage identify is Bobby Vylan (actual identify Pascal Robinson-Foster), led chants of “Loss of life, 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 robust and discriminatory” language.
However prime 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 pageant on Saturday.
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OLI SCARFF/AFP by way of Getty Photographs
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 stated it regretted not pulling away from the livestream. It stated, “The anti-semitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan had been totally 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 crucial of Israel up to now. This yr, the BBC solely made out there an edited model of Kneecap’s efficiency, through 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 offense, accused 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 felony investigation has now been launched over each the Bob Vylan and Kneecap performances. An announcement from the police pressure stated the investigation would look into whether or not feedback made by both act amounted to a felony offense, together with regarding hate crimes.
Bob Vylan was on account of carry out within the U.S. later this yr. 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 usually are not welcome guests to our nation.”
Glastonbury pageant 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, through which he stated, “Educating our youngsters to talk up for the change they need and wish is the one means that we make this world a greater place.” Alongside the assertion was the caption: “I stated what I stated.”
