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Mark Beaumont: Protest is as much a part of the soul of Glasto' as the music
Mark Beaumont: Protest is as much a part of the soul of Glasto' as the music

Irish Independent

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Irish Independent

Mark Beaumont: Protest is as much a part of the soul of Glasto' as the music

The Australian punks accused the media of 'trying to make it look like just a couple of isolated incidents and a couple of 'bad bands', so it appears the public isn't as anti-genocide as it is'. Pretty much every act I saw at this year's festival dropped a 'Free Palestine' in somewhere. 'The status quo has shifted majorly,' the Sniffers summarised – 'people are concerned and desperate for our governments to listen.' Amid such a fervent media furore, many seem frustrated that the dark spectre of politics has infiltrated their cosy sofa weekend watching Rod Stewart – which only highlights how disconnected the BBC-ified Glastonbury experience is from the fundamental meaning and history of the event. Ever since Michael Eavis gave out free milk in 1970 in the name of humanitarian togetherness, Glastonbury has been deeply political. In 1981, Eavis partnered with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), whose logo is still prominently placed at the top of the Pyramid Stage, with the aim of raising money for the organisation and promoting its message of nuclear disarmament. Throughout the Eighties and early Nineties, it was a haven not just for the Green Field's hippies but for the otherwise outcast traveller community – infusing the event with the politics of rebellion, environmentalism and social justice upon which its modern counter-cultural reputation was built. Every year, the Greenpeace Field shouts about the latest developments in the climate emergency, and the Leftfield tent hosts speeches and discussions on a vast array of political issues. And throughout its history, Glastonbury has been the place where major bands and figures make major statements. In 2005, Bob Geldof brought the Make Poverty History campaign to Worthy Farm. In 2017, the then leader of the Labour Party made a high-profile Pyramid Stage appearance, drawn to the home of the mass by an 'Oh, Jeremy Corbyn' chant – galvanising the youthful hope that had grown around him at the time. In 2022, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky crystallised the nation's solidarity with his country with a powerful video message to the Pilton masses. Waking up to the shock Brexit vote result in 2016, it was at Glastonbury that bands such as Bastille and Foals gave voice to Remoaner despair. And, three years later, it was during his dazzling headline set that rapper Stormzy – clad in a monochrome Union flag stab-proof vest – encapsulated the feelings of many in the nation when he got the vast, televised crowd chanting 'f*** Boris'. It may come as a shock to the TV audience that can bypass the politics pulsing from every corner of Worthy Farm each year (and particularly in 2025) with the flick of a red button, but brazen and confrontational stands on crucial issues of the day are what Glastonbury – and the passionate, sometimes angry young people who attend and play it – has always done. And will continue to do, especially now it's a public platform commanding viewing numbers in the millions. Glastonbury is far more than a big, flag-clogged gig on a farm – it's also a powerful source of righteous campaigning and high-profile tub-thumping, with many great and positive politicised moments under its belt. We might not agree with everything that's said here – we might find some of it unacceptable and shocking – but let's not be in any way surprised by it.

Glastonbury mixed pop and politics long before the Bob Vylan controversy

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment

Glastonbury mixed pop and politics long before the Bob Vylan controversy

LONDON -- The Glastonbury Festival is making headlines for controversy rather than music. The likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Charli XCX, Busta Rhymes and Doechii played to tens of thousands onsite, and millions more on TV, during Britain's biggest and most famous music extravaganza. But it's little-known rap-punk duo Bob Vylan attracting politicians' ire — and a police probe — after leading a chant calling for 'death' to the Israeli military. This isn't the first time politics has collided with pop at the festival. For half a century, Britain's big political and cultural divides have found their way onstage at Glastonbury. The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, to give it its full name, was founded by Michael Eavis in 1970 on his Worthy Farm, 120 miles (some 200 kilometers) southwest of London. It's still run by the 90-year-old farmer and his daughter, Emily Eavis. Originally a hippie happening with a 1 pound ticket price (about 20 pounds or $27 today), Glastonbury has largely shed its counterculture cachet. These days, tickets for the three-day event cost close to 400 pounds. But it remains famous for its eclectic lineup, unique atmosphere and commitment to environmentalism and other progressive causes. This year's event drew about 200,000 people to see almost 4,000 performers on 120 stages, alongside film screenings and live debates on a variety of issues. Glastonbury was founded in a spirit of hippie idealism that has never entirely faded. In the 1980s, the festival donated some of its profits to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, which protested U.S. nuclear weapons on British soil. It continues to support charities including Oxfam and Greenpeace. By the late 1980s, attendees included New Age 'travelers' involved with the U.K.'s unofficial and anarchic rave scene. In 1990, some travelers clashed with security at the site, leading to significant damage and more than 200 arrests. Since then, the festival's security and organization have grown increasingly professional, sparking regret from some fans who feel it has lost its alternative spirit. The 2016 festival coincided with the U.K.'s referendum on European Union membership, and the decision to leave the bloc — which most young people opposed — overshadowed the event. Many performers mentioned Brexit and the dispirited mood, including headliner Adele, who urged people to 'look after each other.' Performers have often vented their opposition to politicians from the stage. In 2019, rapper Stormzy led the crowd in 'F___ Boris' chants aimed at then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This year, Irish rappers Kneecap directed the same expletive at Prime Minister Keir Starmer. In contrast, then-Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was warmly received at the festival in 2017 after doing better than expected against the Conservatives in a general election. Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has provoked heightened emotions that spilled over onto Glastonbury's stages. Before the event, some politicians called for Glastonbury to cancel a performance by Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap, whose pro-Palestinian comments, critics say, have crossed a line into support for violence. Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. He denies the charge, and Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause. Kneecap's energetic set included plenty of pro-Palestinian comments and criticism of the government. But it was the act that preceded them, Bob Vylan, that caused a furor when a member of the duo led chants of 'death to the IDF,' the Israel Defense Forces. The Avon and Somerset Police force said officers would review video evidence 'to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation. Michael and Emily Eavis said Bob Vylan had 'very much crossed a line.' They said 'there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.' Britain's publicly funded national broadcaster is under fire for showing Bob Vylan's set, one of dozens of Glastonbury performances it streamed live online. The BBC said Monday that it should have cut off the broadcast after the 'antisemitic' and 'utterly unacceptable' comments, and has removed the performance from its website. But the government is demanding to know what 'due diligence' it did on Bob Vylan before the broadcast. Some media experts say the broadcaster is in a difficult position. Steven Barnett, professor of communications at the University of Westminster, said Britain's influential right-wing press,' including newspapers such as the Daily Mail and The Sun, frequently attack the BBC, 'for both commercial and ideological reasons.'

Glastonbury mixed pop and politics long before the Bob Vylan controversy
Glastonbury mixed pop and politics long before the Bob Vylan controversy

San Francisco Chronicle​

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Glastonbury mixed pop and politics long before the Bob Vylan controversy

LONDON (AP) — The Glastonbury Festival is making headlines for controversy rather than music. The likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Charli XCX, Busta Rhymes and Doechii played to tens of thousands onsite, and millions more on TV, during Britain's biggest and most famous music extravaganza. But it's little-known rap-punk duo Bob Vylan attracting politicians' ire — and a police probe — after leading a chant calling for 'death' to the Israeli military. This isn't the first time politics has collided with pop at the festival. For half a century, Britain's big political and cultural divides have found their way onstage at Glastonbury. Glastonbury grew from the counterculture The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, to give it its full name, was founded by Michael Eavis in 1970 on his Worthy Farm, 120 miles (some 200 kilometers) southwest of London. It's still run by the 90-year-old farmer and his daughter, Emily Eavis. Originally a hippie happening with a 1 pound ticket price (about 20 pounds or $27 today), Glastonbury has largely shed its counterculture cachet. These days, tickets for the three-day event cost close to 400 pounds. But it remains famous for its eclectic lineup, unique atmosphere and commitment to environmentalism and other progressive causes. This year's event drew about 200,000 people to see almost 4,000 performers on 120 stages, alongside film screenings and live debates on a variety of issues. The festival has always had a political side Glastonbury was founded in a spirit of hippie idealism that has never entirely faded. In the 1980s, the festival donated some of its profits to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, which protested U.S. nuclear weapons on British soil. It continues to support charities including Oxfam and Greenpeace. By the late 1980s, attendees included New Age 'travelers' involved with the U.K.'s unofficial and anarchic rave scene. In 1990, some travelers clashed with security at the site, leading to significant damage and more than 200 arrests. Since then, the festival's security and organization have grown increasingly professional, sparking regret from some fans who feel it has lost its alternative spirit. The 2016 festival coincided with the U.K.'s referendum on European Union membership, and the decision to leave the bloc — which most young people opposed — overshadowed the event. Many performers mentioned Brexit and the dispirited mood, including headliner Adele, who urged people to 'look after each other.' Performers have often vented their opposition to politicians from the stage. In 2019, rapper Stormzy led the crowd in 'F___ Boris' chants aimed at then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This year, Irish rappers Kneecap directed the same expletive at Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has provoked heightened emotions that spilled over onto Glastonbury's stages. Before the event, some politicians called for Glastonbury to cancel a performance by Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap, whose pro-Palestinian comments, critics say, have crossed a line into support for violence. Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. He denies the charge, and Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause. Kneecap's energetic set included plenty of pro-Palestinian comments and criticism of the government. But it was the act that preceded them, Bob Vylan, that caused a furor when a member of the duo led chants of 'death to the IDF,' the Israel Defense Forces. The Avon and Somerset Police force said officers would review video evidence 'to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation. Michael and Emily Eavis said Bob Vylan had 'very much crossed a line.' They said 'there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.' The BBC is facing criticism Britain's publicly funded national broadcaster is under fire for showing Bob Vylan's set, one of dozens of Glastonbury performances it streamed live online. The BBC said Monday that it should have cut off the broadcast after the 'antisemitic' and 'utterly unacceptable' comments, and has removed the performance from its website. But the government is demanding to know what 'due diligence' it did on Bob Vylan before the broadcast. Some media experts say the broadcaster is in a difficult position. Steven Barnett, professor of communications at the University of Westminster, said Britain's influential right-wing press,' including newspapers such as the Daily Mail and The Sun, frequently attack the BBC, 'for both commercial and ideological reasons.'

Glastonbury mixed pop and politics long before the Bob Vylan controversy
Glastonbury mixed pop and politics long before the Bob Vylan controversy

Associated Press

time2 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Associated Press

Glastonbury mixed pop and politics long before the Bob Vylan controversy

LONDON (AP) — The Glastonbury Festival is making headlines for controversy rather than music . The likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Rod Stewart, Neil Young, Charli XCX, Busta Rhymes and Doechii played to tens of thousands onsite, and millions more on TV, during Britain's biggest and most famous music extravaganza. But it's little-known rap-punk duo Bob Vylan attracting politicians' ire — and a police probe — after leading a chant calling for 'death' to the Israeli military. This isn't the first time politics has collided with pop at the festival. For half a century, Britain's big political and cultural divides have found their way onstage at Glastonbury. Glastonbury grew from the counterculture The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, to give it its full name, was founded by Michael Eavis in 1970 on his Worthy Farm, 120 miles (some 200 kilometers) southwest of London. It's still run by the 90-year-old farmer and his daughter, Emily Eavis. Originally a hippie happening with a 1 pound ticket price (about 20 pounds or $27 today), Glastonbury has largely shed its counterculture cachet. These days, tickets for the three-day event cost close to 400 pounds. But it remains famous for its eclectic lineup, unique atmosphere and commitment to environmentalism and other progressive causes. This year's event drew about 200,000 people to see almost 4,000 performers on 120 stages, alongside film screenings and live debates on a variety of issues. The festival has always had a political side Glastonbury was founded in a spirit of hippie idealism that has never entirely faded. In the 1980s, the festival donated some of its profits to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, which protested U.S. nuclear weapons on British soil. It continues to support charities including Oxfam and Greenpeace. By the late 1980s, attendees included New Age 'travelers' involved with the U.K.'s unofficial and anarchic rave scene. In 1990, some travelers clashed with security at the site, leading to significant damage and more than 200 arrests. Since then, the festival's security and organization have grown increasingly professional, sparking regret from some fans who feel it has lost its alternative spirit. The 2016 festival coincided with the U.K.'s referendum on European Union membership, and the decision to leave the bloc — which most young people opposed — overshadowed the event. Many performers mentioned Brexit and the dispirited mood, including headliner Adele, who urged people to 'look after each other.' Performers have often vented their opposition to politicians from the stage. In 2019, rapper Stormzy led the crowd in 'F___ Boris' chants aimed at then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. This year, Irish rappers Kneecap directed the same expletive at Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Emotions are high over the Gaza war Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has provoked heightened emotions that spilled over onto Glastonbury's stages. Before the event, some politicians called for Glastonbury to cancel a performance by Irish-language hip-hop trio Kneecap, whose pro-Palestinian comments, critics say, have crossed a line into support for violence. Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. He denies the charge, and Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause. Kneecap's energetic set included plenty of pro-Palestinian comments and criticism of the government. But it was the act that preceded them, Bob Vylan, that caused a furor when a member of the duo led chants of 'death to the IDF,' the Israel Defense Forces. The Avon and Somerset Police force said officers would review video evidence 'to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation. Michael and Emily Eavis said Bob Vylan had 'very much crossed a line.' They said 'there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.' The BBC is facing criticism Britain's publicly funded national broadcaster is under fire for showing Bob Vylan's set, one of dozens of Glastonbury performances it streamed live online. The BBC said Monday that it should have cut off the broadcast after the 'antisemitic' and 'utterly unacceptable' comments, and has removed the performance from its website. But the government is demanding to know what 'due diligence' it did on Bob Vylan before the broadcast. Some media experts say the broadcaster is in a difficult position. Steven Barnett, professor of communications at the University of Westminster, said Britain's influential right-wing press,' including newspapers such as the Daily Mail and The Sun, frequently attack the BBC, 'for both commercial and ideological reasons.' Right-leaning newspapers featured the Bob Vylan story prominently, and Barnett said that attention 'puts any political leader under enormous pressure' to express an opinion.

Glastonbury Festival: A haven of rhythm and resistance
Glastonbury Festival: A haven of rhythm and resistance

The Hindu

time3 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Hindu

Glastonbury Festival: A haven of rhythm and resistance

Chants of 'free, free Palestine' reverberated on the grounds of Worthy Farms, and Palestinian flags flooded the venue as artists from across the spectrum voiced their support for Palestinian resistance. For five days every summer, the ceremonial county of Somerset in England becomes the epicenter of countercultural movements and political resistance. The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, which first began in 1970, has entertained diverse music genres over the decades. However, it has steadfastly stuck to its left-wing politics. Last week, the founder of what is now the largest music festival in the UK, Michael Eavis, said that anyone who didn't agree with the politics of the festival 'can go somewhere else.' While the festival grew in popularity and scale through the 1970s, it was in the 80s that it truly came into its own by building a space for activism and politics within its fences. In 1981, the festival was organised in conjunction with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, an organisation that advocates for unilateral nuclear disarmament by the United Kingdom, international nuclear disarmament, and tighter international arms regulation. Environmental activism Over the years, environmental activism has become a core issue that united festivalgoers and organisers. Today, Glastonbury is powered by 100% renewable energy sources, and single-use plastic is banned on the premises. The festival takes a break every five years to let the farmland on which it is hosted breathe and rejuvenate. So in 2026, Somerset will not see droves of passionate people organise, groove, and agitate against the powers that be. In 2000, musician Billy Bragg and his partner Juliet Wills organised the Left Field stage at Glastonbury to tackle apathy and promote left-wing politics and trade unionism among young festivalgoers. This eventually turned into a regular fixture at the festival. The stage features left-wing musicians who champion anti-establishment sentiments, and political comedians like Mark Thomas. It is also a site of political speeches and debates. Keeping up this legacy, in 2017, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was invited to speak at the main stage of the festival, called the Pyramid Stage, which was built for the first time in 1970 after taking inspiration from the Pyramid in Giza. Charities like Oxfam contribute manpower in the form of volunteers who keep the festival running. In return, the festival donates its profits to these organisations. Dissent in 2025 This year, too, the resistance is bubbling with intensity at the Worthy Farm grounds. Irish singer-songwriter Cmat and rock band the Libertines voiced their support for a free Palestine during their sets, while former BBC presenter Gary Lineker echoed the sentiment after concluding his talk at the festival. Other singers and speakers turned up in keffiyeh scarves to indicate their solidarity with the cause. Musician Nadine Shah performed her set in front of a backdrop showing the destruction in Gaza. She went on to read an open letter from Artists for Palestine UK in support of the activist group Palestine Action, which the UK executive is planning to declare a terrorist organisation. Irish rap trio Kneecap took to the stage to address U.K. politics and the genocide in Palestine. Their set on the West Holts stage drew a massive crowd, reaching capacity nearly an hour before showtime. However, BBC chose not to broadcast their performance citing 'editorial guidelines.' But the trouble had already beset the media organisation as punk rock duo Bob Vylan took to the same stage and called for the death of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). While some joined the chants, others flagged it as incitement to violence. The organiser of the festival, Emily Eavis, responded to the incident and said she was 'appalled' by the comments made by the singer. This statement from her drew flak from some performers and fans alike. Rock band Amyl and the Sniffers took to their Instagram to highlight that the media, by highlighting the politically charged performances of Kneecap and Bob Vylan made it seem like these were isolated incidents and a couple of 'bad bands' whose sentiments the public at large does not share, which according to them was not the case. As Avon and Somerset Police investigate the video footage to determine if any offences warranting a criminal investigation have been committed at Worthy Farms, it remains to be seen how a music festival with its roots in the 60s counterculture movement responds to ever-evolving semantics of protest in a world where spaces of resistance are facing onslaught from the state.

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