Bob Vylan Frontman Breaks Silence After Glastonbury Controversy Sparks Police Investigation

Yahoo

6 hours ago

Musician Bobby Vylan has spoken out after it was announced that his comments on stage at Glastonbury over the weekend were being investigated by the local police.
Bobby – who makes up one half of the punk rap duo Bob Vylan – performed on the West Holts stage on Saturday afternoon, where he led the crowd in a chant of 'free Palestine'.
After that, he then began another chant of 'death, death to the IDF', referring to Israel's army, the Israel Defence Forces.
In the days since, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, the BBC – who broadcast the set live – and Glastonbury organisers have all spoken out to condemn the frontman's actions.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan's set were deeply offensive.
'During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.'
Starmer responded: '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. The BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast.'
A post on Glastonbury's official Instagram page later read: 'We are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday.
'Their chants very much 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.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Glastonbury Festival (@glastofest)
In addition to this, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed on Saturday night: 'We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon.
'Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.'
We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon. Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation. pic.twitter.com/w2RQ4LdQf3
— Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) June 28, 2025
Bobby spoke out for the first time since the furore erupted on Sunday evening, in an Instagram post captioned: 'I said what I said.'
He wrote: 'As I lay in bed this morning, my phone buzzing non-stop, inundated with messages of both support and hatred, I listen to my daughter typing out loud as she fills out a school survey asking for her feedback on the current state of her school dinners. She expressed that she would like healthier meals, more options and dishes inspired by other parts of the world.
'Listening to her voice her opinions on a matter that she cares about and affects her daily, reminds me that we may not be doomed after all. 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.
'As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us. Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change. Let them see us marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organising online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered.
'Today it is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign policy.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bob Vylan (@bobbyvylan)
A host of other acts also spoke out in support of Palestine during this weekend's Glastonbury festival, making it one of the most politically-charged in years.
Kneecap – whose place on the line-up was called into question by Starmer after one member was charged with a terror offence – opened their set with a montage of headlines about the controversy of which they've been at the centre.
Accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, they also led the crowd on the West Holts stage in a 'free Palestine' chant.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Nadine Shah read out an open letter from the campaign group Artists for Palestine UK, which expressed solidarity with Palestine Action, a group of protesters who members of the current government are seeking to make a proscribed terrorist group.
On Saturday, former Little Mix singer Jade also led her fans in a chant of 'fuck you' during her set aimed at the likes of Reform, 'welfare cuts', transphobia, 'selling arms', 'silencing protests' and 'justifying genocide'.
Keir Starmer Demands BBC Explain How Bob Vylan 'Hate Speech' Was Broadcast
Glastonbury Organiser Says Those Who Don't Agree With Festival's Politics 'Can Go Elsewhere'
Glastonbury Organiser Breaks Silence On Controversy Over Kneecap's Spot On This Year's Line-Up