London-based band Bob Vylan hit headlines after being accused of featuring hate speech in their mid-afternoon set at Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, which was broadcast live on the BBC.
Londoners in attendance said they recognised any calls to death and violence should not be encouraged but added the press and government ignore the real meaning behind the bands’ statements.
Stan has followed Kneecap, who also courted controversy at the festival for similar reasons, since their debut performances in 2017.
Stan, 22 said: “I started listening to Kneecap about three or four years ago
“I like them because they speak what they are thinking.
“They do not apologise for how they grew up and they do not apologise for who it made them, and I respect that.
“I have been asked so many times to explain my background, and I do not think I should have to.
He added: “There are over 50,000 people standing in this crowd right now and a sea of Palestinian flags.
“Most of us, including me, want the government to do more to help people in Gaza.
“It isn’t about saying Israel should not exist but instead trying to show that we all support the Palestinian people.”
During their set, Bob Vylan led chants of “death to the IDF”, the Israeli Defence Forces.
Since, Avon and Somerset Police said they will be investigating both Bob Vylan’s and the following set by Northern Irish rappers Kneecap.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.
“I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence.”
Kneecap use both the Irish and English language.
They formed in West Belfast in 2017 and are made up of two rappers Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, known as Móglai Bap, and producer JJ Ó Dochartaigh, better known as DJ Próvai.
The group are no stranger to controversy and prior to the festival faced calls from politicians and celebrities to be removed from the Glastonbury line-up.
This is because Óg Ó hAnnaidh is currently on trial at the Old Bailey for terrorism offences related to a series in videos in which he made references to killing and dead MPs, as well as support for Hamas and Hezbollah.
To walk onto the stage for their set, Kneecap collated snippets of criticism broadcast by people such as former Northern Irish first minister, Arlene Foster and celebrity, Sharon Osbourne.
On 19 June, Óg Ó hAnnaidh was given unconditional bail terms at his first hearing and will reappear in court on 20 August.
The group have displayed support for the Palestinian people and insist their statements are not antisemitic, but instead aim to bring light to the British state’s failure to rectify issues in the Middle East and condemn Israeli actions.
Unlike Kneecap’s performance, which was made available on the BBC iPlayer shortly after the gig, Bob Vylan’s set was broadcast live on air.
During their set Bob Vylan vocalised support of Kneecap and emphasised their bravery in speaking out on Palestinian issues.
The end of their set then featured the chant which caused so much controversy.
Young Londoners at attendance at Glastonbury spoke of their support for the bands, but recognised calls to death, even if metaphorical, could not be condoned.
George, 33 said: “I think sometimes people look at bands like Kneecap and Bob Vylan and treat them at the surface level.
“I don’t think he means for us to kill Israelis or Jews, but more so the institution of the army and war in the Middle East as a whole.
“Both Bob Vylan and Kneecap have grown up in areas of the UK where they have faced prejudice and questions about their identity.
“They are not immune to colonial histories nor are they ignorant to others experiencing colonialism.
“I think that is the point many people miss when they read the front page, they do not understand the beliefs the bands have or where they come from but just jump on the fiery statements.
Craig, 22 said: “I have been a Kneecap fan since they first did the random pub gigs in Belfast.
“They have made their identity off of speaking their mind, but I do not want people to be put off supporting freedom for Palestinians by their statements.
“I am disappointed in them chanting death, they know they will get in trouble and I am not sure there is an excuse for it anymore.
“Some people might listen to what they say and start to act on it.
“I do not want them to actually start harming the cause that we all started chanting support for peace for here two years ago.”
Emily Eavis, organiser of Glastonbury Festival said: “As a festival we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in and actively campaign for hope, unity, peace and love.
“With 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share and a performer’s presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs.
“However, we were appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday.
“Their chants crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”
In a statement released on social media, Bob Vylan said: “Today, a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace. Last week it was a Palestine pressure group, the week before that it was another band.
“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use ‘unnecessary lethal force’ against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.
“We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.
“The government doesn’t want us to ask why they remain silent in the face of this atrocity? To ask why they aren’t doing more to stop the killing? To feed the statement?
“The more time they talk about Bob Vylan, the less time they spend answering for their criminal inaction.
“We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first. We will not be the last, and if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up too.”
A BBC statement on Glastonbury said: “Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC’s output but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive.
“The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury’s condemnation of the performance.
“The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer. The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines.
“In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand. The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.
“In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air.”
Featured Image Credit: Anna McAlinden
