 "Why the iconic Glastonbury music festival is under the scanner of UK police")
Police in southwest England have initiated a review following controversial on-stage remarks made by performers at this year’s Glastonbury Festival, UK’s largest music festival.
Acts including rap-punk duo Bob Vylan and Irish-language hip hop trio Kneecap led large crowds in politically charged chants on the festival’s West Holts Stage on Saturday. Authorities are now assessing whether any criminal offences may have been committed.
During their performance, Bob Vylan’s frontman Bobby Vylan addressed the audience with calls of “Free, free Palestine,” followed by the statement: “Alright, but have you heard this one though? Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).”
A video circulating online showed the artist making the chant from the stage microphone, with members of the audience echoing it.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were “aware of the comments made by acts” and said they would be “assessing video evidence to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
The force reiterated that this review was underway after the performances drew international and domestic concern. The stage backdrop during Bob Vylan’s performance also carried a controversial message.
Displayed behind the duo was the text: “United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict’,” referring to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and the UK broadcaster’s framing of the events.
How did the Israeli Embassy & UK govt react?
The Israeli Embassy in the UK was quick to condemn the content of the performances, particularly the rhetoric used by Bob Vylan. In a statement posted to social media, it said it was “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival.”
The embassy added that chants such as “Death to the IDF” posed serious risks by “normalising extremist language and the glorification of violence.”
It warned that such messages — particularly when met with applause by large audiences — could encourage dangerous ideologies.
“When such messages are delivered before tens of thousands of festivalgoers and met with applause, it raises serious concerns about the normalisation of extremist language and the glorification of violence,” the statement read.
The Israeli Embassy also urged festival organisers, artists and UK leaders to reject all forms of hatred and incitement.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting also voiced his disapproval. Appearing on Sky News, he referred to the chant as “appalling” and criticised both Glastonbury’s organisers and the BBC, which broadcast the performance live.
“They’ve got questions to answer,” Streeting said, highlighting the need for accountability over how such content was allowed on air.
Streeting also addressed the broader political context, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers.
He stated, “I’d also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank.” He also remarked that he wished Israel would “take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously.”
Referencing the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival on October 7 2023, Streeting said: “The fact that we saw that chant at a music festival – when there were Israelis at a similar music festival who were kidnapped, murdered, raped and in some cases still held captive…”
He stressed that while Israel’s conduct during the war has drawn international criticism, this did not justify inciting violence.
Why is the BBC facing heat?
The BBC, which has rights to air Glastonbury performances live, found itself at the centre of the controversy for having streamed Bob Vylan’s set.
The broadcaster said it had issued an on-screen warning for “very strong and discriminatory language” during the performance. However, it later confirmed that the controversial set would not be made available on its iPlayer platform.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy reportedly reached out to BBC Director General Tim Davie to seek an urgent explanation regarding the editorial and vetting processes that preceded the broadcast.
A BBC spokesperson noted that some of the comments made during the performance were “deeply offensive.”
Who are Bob Vylan?
Bob Vylan, formed in Ipswich in 2017, comprises frontman Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan. Both artists have kept their real names private for personal reasons.
The group’s musical style blends punk, rap, and hard rock and their lyrics frequently tackle subjects such as racism, homophobia, far-right politics and toxic masculinity.
Their 2020 album We Live Here and 2022’s Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life both garnered critical acclaim.
In 2022, the group won Best Alternative Act at the MOBO Awards and received the Best Album honour at the Kerrang Awards. One of their tracks, Pretty Songs, is introduced by the line: “Violence is the only language that some people understand.”
The group performed this year on Glastonbury’s third-largest stage and had previously earned a reputation for using their platform to provoke political discussion.
What did Kneecap do?
The controversy at Glastonbury extended beyond Bob Vylan to another performance that same day by the Irish-language hip hop trio Kneecap.
The group has previously faced backlash for its political messaging, particularly over West Asia. Ahead of the festival, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had remarked that it was “not appropriate” for the group to perform.
The band’s member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh — known by his stage name Mo Chara — was charged last month under the UK Terrorism Act. The charge stemmed from an incident at a London concert in November 2024, where he allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag, a symbol associated with a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK.
The rapper, charged under the anglicised name Liam O’Hanna, has denied the allegations and is out on unconditional bail, with his next court appearance set for August.
Despite this backdrop, Kneecap drew a large crowd at the West Holts Stage. During their set, the group led the audience in chants of “Free Palestine” and “Free Mo Chara.”
Band member Móglaí Bap addressed the crowd with an explicit rebuke of the UK prime minister, saying, “The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f**k Keir Starmer.”
Speaking about his legal troubles, Mo Chara told the crowd that the situation had been “stressful” but was “nothing in comparison to what the Palestinian people are going through.”
During the performance, Móglaí Bap said, “I don’t want anybody to start a riot. No riots just love and support, and more importantly support for Palestine,” though he also made a comment suggesting a potential riot outside the court.
Kneecap has previously faced criticism over videos that allegedly show the band shouting slogans such as “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and encouraging people to target lawmakers.
The group has denied supporting either group and instead says its criticism is directed at governments, not civilians.
How have organisers responded to the incidents?
In response to the unfolding controversy, Glastonbury Festival’s organisers issued a public statement condemning the on-stage comments.
“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,” it said.
Regarding Bob Vylan’s set, the organisers noted that the chants “very much crossed a line.” They also stressed that with almost 4,000 performances taking place, it was inevitable that some views expressed by artists would not align with the festival’s ethos.
“A performer’s presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs,” the organisers added.
Glastonbury Festival is held annually at Worthy Farm in southwest England and attracts nearly 200,000 attendees each year.
With over 120 stages and thousands of artists, it is widely seen as one of the most influential cultural events in the world.
With inputs from agencies
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