Boardmasters confirm Bob Vylan will appear despite campaign for the group to be banned

ITV News

6 days ago

Organisers of the Boardmasters festival insist Bob Vylan will remain part of their line up despite a growing campaign calling for the group to be banned.
Hundreds of people have written to Cornwall Council, the licencing authority for the festival, asking them to stop the band from taking to the stage.
The band hit the headlines when they chanted 'death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]' during a televised appearance at Glastonbury festival.
In a statement to ITV West Country, the festival organisers confirmed that the band will still be appearing on the main stage.
The statement said: 'Following productive meetings with Devon & Cornwall Police and relevant partners from our Safety Advisory Group, we now have an agreed plan in place that ensures the event continues to meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and community accountability.
'Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe. We do not tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence, or behaviour that puts anyone at risk, and we will continue to uphold these principles throughout the event and beyond.
'Our decision to proceed with the performance reflects a balance of factors, including the festival's careful consideration of recent concerns, our ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, and the band's agreement to the terms of their participation.
'We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations particularly the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe environment for everyone attending, working at, or involved in the festival.
'Boardmasters remains focused on delivering a safe, respectful, and well-managed event.'
The council is due to hold a licensing hearing after a member of the public wrote to the authority on July 16 demanding a review of the festival in light of the band's appearance.
However, due to legal timeframes the hearing won't be held until after the festival takes place.
Dr Ed Abrahamson said in his submission to the council: 'I'm writing to urge that you review the licence for Boardmasters in terms of conditionality regarding the stepping down of Bob Vylan.
'As you will see, they have now been cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force.
'As it stands, the sole venue that is platforming them globally is going to be Boardmasters at Newquay [the band announced three September dates in the Netherlands on the same day Dr Abrahamson wrote to the council]. You are the licence holders for this event.'
Councillors on Cornwall Council are understood to have been inundated with emails from members of the public asking them to intervene.
Cllr Dulcie Tudor said: 'It's got to be the most concerted campaign I've seen since being on the council. It's more than the most controversial planning application.'
Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost has said he will respond to every person who has contacted him on this issue with the following statement: 'Thank you for raising your concerns regarding this year's Boardmasters festival. Cornwall Council has received an application to review the event's premises licence. You may wish to add your views to the current licence review.
'This can be done by emailing [e-mail]. You may also do so by writing to the Licensing Team, Cornwall Council, New County Hall, Truro TR1 3AY. Within your representation please state how you feel the current licence compromises the licensing objectives. Please ensure that representations are received by the Licensing Team by August 7, 2025.
'Cornwall Council will proceed with the review in line with the national legislation and guidance. You may also wish to raise your concerns directly with Devon and Cornwall Police.'
Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward before next month's Boardmasters, it is unable to do so due to licensing hearing regulations. There are specific time periods from the point when the application is made and accepted to when a hearing has to take place.
That time period includes a 20 working days consultation period with police, environmental health, health and safety, planning enforcement and children's services.
That means it will fall after Bob Vylan have performed.
According to the council's licensing department, the only organisation that has the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force has previously stated that decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the Boardmasters organisers and not Devon and Cornwall Police.