Bob Vylan, the British punk-rap duo known for its politically charged performances, is facing escalating backlash following a Glastonbury Festival set that included calls of "death to the IDF," prompting visa revocations, a criminal investigation, and a professional fallout. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced Monday that the group's visas had been revoked, declaring on X, "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country."
The group had been slated to begin a U.S. tour in late October. The decision from Washington follows swift condemnation by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the chant "appalling hate speech." The performance also led UTA, Bob Vylan's booking agency, to sever ties with the duo, confirming over the weekend that the band had been removed from its roster.
The controversy erupted Saturday when frontman Bobby Vylan, during a performance on the West Holts Stage, shouted "Free, free Palestine" before asking the crowd, "Alright, but have you heard this one though? Death, death to the IDF." The group performed in front of a video screen displaying: "United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a 'conflict.'"
In a now-deleted livestream and later posts on Instagram, Bobby Vylan defended his actions, stating: "I said what I said." He added, "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."
The performance also prompted the BBC, which streamed the set live, to issue a statement Monday morning acknowledging it should have cut the broadcast. "With hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance," a spokesperson said. "The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves."
The BBC said the performance had been removed from its iPlayer streaming service and that it is cooperating with British regulator Ofcom, which is now reviewing whether the broadcast breached editorial standards. "The BBC clearly has questions to answer," Ofcom said in a statement. "We are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency."
Avon and Somerset Police, which cover the area where Glastonbury is held, confirmed a criminal investigation is underway. Authorities are reviewing video and audio footage from both Bob Vylan's and the Irish-language group Kneecap's performances, stating that "further enquiries are required" and that police will consider "all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes."
Kneecap also drew attention at the festival after band member Mo Chara, who is currently facing a terrorism charge for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a 2024 London concert, performed alongside his bandmates. During their Saturday set, Móglaí Bap said, "The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play, so f**k Keir Starmer."
Glastonbury organizers condemned Bob Vylan's comments as having "crossed a line" and said the chant was "appalling." The festival concluded Sunday, capping off a weekend of performances by Olivia Rodrigo, The 1975, Charli XCX, Doechii, and Neil Young. Organizers announced the event will take a scheduled fallow year in 2026 before returning in 2027.
