Bobby Vylan of Bob Vylan crowdsurfs in entrance of the West Holts stage throughout day 4 of Glastonbury competition 2025 on June 28 in Glastonbury, England.
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Leon Neal/Getty Pictures
LONDON — The BBC and the annual Glastonbury Competition of Up to date Performing Arts have come below criticism from the British prime minister and broadcasting regulator after a punk-rap band led chants towards the Israeli army throughout a competition efficiency which was broadcast dwell on Saturday afternoon.
British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan is now below a legal investigation within the U.Okay. after its lead singer, whose stage title is Bobby Vylan (actual title 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 sturdy and discriminatory” language.
However high politicians shortly criticized the broadcaster’s resolution 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 competition on Saturday.
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OLI SCARFF/AFP through Getty Pictures
One opposition lawmaker, Chris Philp, known 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 towards 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 essential 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 towards Prime Minister Keir Starmer and reiterated help for Palestinians within the Gaza Strip.
Starmer had beforehand stated it was “not acceptable” 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 help 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.Okay. police say a legal investigation has now been launched over each the Bob Vylan and Kneecap performances. A press release from the police drive stated the investigation would look into whether or not feedback made by both act amounted to a legal offense, together with referring to hate crimes.
Bob Vylan was because of carry out within the U.S. later this yr. However the Glastonbury look could 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 should not welcome guests to our nation.”
Glastonbury competition 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 kids to talk up for the change they need and wish is the one manner that we make this world a greater place.” Alongside the assertion was the caption: “I stated what I stated.”