Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set prompts BBC rethink on 'high-risk' live gigs
LONDON - Britain's national broadcaster said on Thursday it would no longer broadcast or stream live any music gig deemed "high risk" after it was widely criticised for showing punk-rap duo Bob Vylan chanting against the Israeli military at Glastonbury.
The BBC had already said it should have cut the stream from Bob Vylan's performance at the music festival on Saturday which included on-stage chants of "death, death to the IDF", a reference to the Israel Defense Forces fighting a war in Gaza.
British police have since launched a criminal investigation for possible public order offences. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the BBC for showing the performance, while media regulator Ofcom said the broadcaster had questions to answer.
The BBC has described the chants as antisemitic. Publishing an apology to viewers on Thursday, it said it was taking action, including the policy change over live broadcasts of certain music acts.
"We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers and listeners and in particular the Jewish community," the BBC said in its latest statement.
Before Glastonbury, the BBC had identified Bob Vylan plus six other acts as being high risk, it said.
Bob Vylan, known for mixing grime and punk rock, tackle a range of issues including racism, homophobia and the class divide in their songs and have previously voiced support for Palestinians.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore 193ha of land off Changi to be reclaimed for aviation park; area reduced to save seagrass meadow
Business More Singapore residents met CPF Required Retirement Sum when they turned 55 in 2024
Singapore PAP questions Pritam's interview with Malaysian podcast, WP says PAP opposing for the sake of opposing
Singapore 1 in 4 appeals to waive HDB wait-out period for private home owners approved since Sept 2022
World Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota dies in car crash in Spain
Singapore Healthcare facility planned for site of Ang Mo Kio Public Library after it moves to AMK Hub
Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July
Business 60 S'pore firms to get AI boost from Tata Consultancy as it launches new innovation centre here
Their lead vocalist, who goes by the stage name Bobby Vylan, appeared to refer to the weekend performance in a post on Instagram, writing: "I said what I said."
"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," he added.
The duo's performance at Glastonbury was monitored, the BBC said, and although more senior staff members were alerted, the editorial team decided not to cut the feed, which the broadcaster said was a mistake.
"We are taking actions to ensure proper accountability for those found to be responsible for those failings in the live broadcast," the statement added. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Book review: OB Markers sequel Ink And Influence makes catch-22 proposal for The Straits Times
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Cheong Yip Seng practically pioneered the genre of the newsman memoir in Singapore with his OB Markers: My Straits Times Story (2012). By Cheong Yip Seng Non-fiction/World Scientific Publishing/Paperback/348 pages/$39.24 As sequels go, few have generated as much frisson as this in the Singapore journo-sphere.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Tourism bump from Lady Gaga concerts raked in up to estimated $150m for Singapore economy
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US pop star Lady Gaga performed a sold out concert in Singapore at the National Stadium on May 18, the first of her four night shows at the venue. SINGAPORE - Lady Gaga's run of four Singapore-exclusive concerts in May raked in an estimated $100m to $150m in tourism receipts for the Republic, say experts. While this was a fraction of the $350 to $500m that Taylor Swift's and Coldplay's concerts in March 2024 generated in total, it still solidified Singapore's position as a premier concert destination in Asia, they said. Figures published by American music and entertainment publication Billboard in end June show that Lady Gaga's Singapore concerts grossed US$40.8 million (S$52 million) from the sale of 193,000 tickets. The monthly report of top-grossing concerts showed that her only stop in Asia on the Mayhem tour, held at the National Stadium on May 18, 19, 21 and 24, averaged around $13 million per night. The stadium can hold about 50,000 people. These were Gaga's only ticketed concerts in May, since her May 3 show on Copacabana Beach in Brazil to 2.5 million people was free. Maybank economist Brian Lee said tourism receipts related to Lady Gaga's concert may amount to between $100 million and $150 million. He noted that the $52 million of revenue of Gaga's May 2025 concerts is half of the $104 million brought in by Taylor Swift's March 2024 concerts in Singapore. Concert revenue primarily refers to ticket sales, whereas tourism receipts encompass spending by overseas visitors on everything ranging from accommodation and food and beverage, to shopping and services. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump says countries to start paying tariffs on Aug 1, floats range of 10% to 70% Singapore Sengkang murder: Man accused of killing elderly mother escorted back to crime scene Singapore Multiple charges for man accused of damaging PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for man who recruited 2 Japanese women for prostitution at MBS Asia Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh Asia Chinese national missing in Thailand rescued, embassy warns of shady job offers Business Central banks tweak US dollar reserves, with euro and gold gaining ground: UBS survey Singapore Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4 International visitor arrivals to the Republic also saw a bump during both concerts, though the increase seen from Lady Gaga's concerts was considerably less. Figures from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) show that inbound visitors grew by 8 per cent year-on-year in May 2025. In contrast, visitor arrivals jumped 43.5 per cent year-on-year in March 2024. 'The smaller tourism boost from Gaga concerts compared to Taylor Swift is not surprising, given Gaga's smaller and more niche following,' said Mr Lee of the numbers, adding that the uncertain economic climate may have also dampened demand for travel and big-ticket discretionary spending. 'In contrast to Taylor Swift's completely sold out shows, demand for Lady Gaga's was more lukewarm with last minute tickets still available and resellers slashing resale ticket prices,' he added. It appeared that tickets took longer to sell, with checks by The Straits Times showing unsold tickets still available up until the week of the concerts. It was a sentiment mirrored by Associate Professor Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin from the hospitality and tourism management degree programme at the Singapore Institute of Technology, who also attributed Gaga's smaller economic impact to playing fewer days than Swift's six - where the number of tickets and overall tourism receipts may be proportionate to the show size. He also alluded to Swift being at the peak of her popularity during her Eras tour concerts in March 2024, unlike Gaga, whose Mayhem album had only been released a few months prior. 'All three world-renowned artists, including Coldplay, may well be on par when it comes to economic impact as well as building Singapore's reputation as a premier destination for global entertainment for the region,' he said. 'The success of these concerts contributes to a virtuous cycle, where successful events attract more artists, which in turn draws more international visitors and enhances Singapore's brand as a vibrant cultural and entertainment capital,' he added. However, experts also expect a quieter second half of the year for mega concerts on the scale of Gaga, Swift or Coldplay. In terms of marquee events, the Formula One (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix in October has a jam-packed line up with the likes of American rock band Foo Fighters and British legend Elton John, while K-pop megastars Blackpink are due in the Republic in November. While the concert calendar might appear quieter in terms of new announcements for top-tier acts for the second half of year, Prof Kiatkawsin said it does not necessarily indicate a long-term slowdown. It is not uncommon for the second half of the year to have a different rhythm in terms of concert announcements, as the planning and logistics for top-tier international tours often take considerable time, and announcements can be staggered throughout the year, he said. 'Furthermore, Singapore's strategy is not solely reliant on a continuous stream of mega-concerts but also on a diverse portfolio of events, including major sporting events like the F1 Grand Prix, Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions), and other cultural festivals,' he added. However, Maybank's Mr Lee said that tourism will not likely be a major boost to Singapore's growth in 2025, as headwinds persist. 'The trade war and heightened global economic uncertainty will likely dampen both business and leisure travel.'
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Near, far, wherever you are: Immersive Titanic experience docking in Singapore in August
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Visitors can relive the experience of passengers of the Titanic in an exhibition in Singapore in August. SINGAPORE - Come August, visitors here can have a visceral experience of passengers onboard the fateful Titanic through virtual reality technology at Titanic: An Immersive Voyage - T hrough the E yes of the P assengers. It will be the first time the exhibition is coming to Asia, having staged in places such as Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Copenhagen. Its creator, Exhibition Hub, is leveraging on technology such as 3D projections, video animations and virtual reality to capture the sundry of emotions faced by the ship's passengers. The Titanic, a luxury British ocean liner, was carrying about 2,000 passengers from Southampton in England to New York City in the US in April 1912 when it struck an iceberg and sank . An estimated 1,500 people lost their lives in the tragedy . Since then, the Titanic has had a lasting legacy in popular culture, especially with James Cameron's award-winning film Titanic. Unlike traditional exhibits, participants can relive the passengers' experience - from boarding the Titanic, to setting sail across the Atlantic, and ultimately, living through the panic and heartbreak of that fateful night. The journey will take voyagers through the ship's cabins, dining rooms and decks, as it slowly descends into the icy ocean. The exhibition will also feature more than 300 artefacts recovered from the Titanic that include letters handwritten by the passengers, which paints the liner's tragic tale in intimate light. Exclusive to the Singapore edition is a special full-wall panel featuring the first local report of Titanic's sinking in 1912. Visitors can also get a rare glimpse into Singapore in the 1910s , with historical photographs of the island' s landscape and lifestyle at the time. The exhibition also offers a cutting-edge walking virtual reality experience for VIP-ticket holders, transporting them to the wreck site, which rests more than 4km beneath the surface of the North Atlantic ocean. Slated to open on Aug 6 at the Fever Exhibition Hall on Scotts Road , tickets will be available on the official website and the Fever platform from July 10 . Ticket prices begin at $23.90. Children under four can enter for free.
