Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation into the Glastonbury Festival sets of Bob Vylan and Kneecap, following public backlash and political scrutiny over remarks made during their respective performances on Saturday (June 29).
Bob Vylan’s set, which was livestreamed on the BBC, featured a chant from frontman Bobby Vylan (Pascal Robinson-Foster) that included the phrase “death to the IDF,” referencing the Israel Defense Forces. The BBC later issued an apology for not cutting the feed, describing the comments as “antisemitic” and committing to reviewing its guidance for live broadcasts.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy raised the issue in Parliament on Monday, saying she contacted the BBC’s director general directly after the broadcast. “Outstanding questions remain,” she said, including “why the feed wasn’t immediately cut,” and “what due diligence had been done” before Bob Vylan’s performance was aired.
In a video response, Bobby Vylan defended his remarks, stating, “Regardless of how it was said, calling for an end to the slaughter of innocents is never wrong,” while adding, “This anger is not directed at [Israeli] civilians.”
The band, who had been preparing for a U.S. tour later this year, have since had their American visas revoked according to reporting from BBC News, with a U.S. State Department official writing on social media, “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
The police investigation also includes the performance by Irish rap group Kneecap, whose politically charged set on the West Holts Stage drew one of the largest crowds of the weekend. Billboard previously reported that the field was closed off 45 minutes before their set due to overcrowding, and their performance began with global news clips about the group, including footage of Sharon Osbourne calling for their U.S. visas to be revoked.
Mo Chara, who appeared in court in June on an unrelated terrorism charge that he denies, addressed the crowd during the performance. “Mo Chara was in the Westminster court this month,” said bandmate Móglaí Bap. “He is back in court for a trumped-up terrorism charge.” He later told the audience, “The Prime Minister of your country – not mine – said he didn’t want us to play. So, f— Keir Starmer.”
The group also thanked the Eavis family, Glastonbury’s organisers, for standing by them amidst calls for their removal. “The pressure that the family was under [to drop us], but they stayed strong – fair play to them,” Mo Chara said. Referencing the broader political backdrop, he added, “We are from West Belfast, a place that has experienced occupation. We understand colonialism and we understand how important it is to have international solidarity.”
Although Kneecap’s performance was not livestreamed, the BBC later uploaded a largely unedited version of the set to iPlayer. The network has not commented on whether it will remain available.
As of Tuesday, no charges have been filed against either act.
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