Latest news with #WorthyFarmfestival
Daily Mirror
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Bob Vylan issues warning to fans after police investigation over Glastonbury gig
Bob Vylan fans were issued a huge warning as the band took to the stage on Wednesday night for their first performance since their controversial Glastonbury Festival set Bob Vylan issued a warning to fans after they chanted for "death to the IDF." The band took to the stage in London on Wednesday night, for their first performance since it emerged they are facing a criminal investigation. Since last month, following their performance at Glastonbury and a performance at Alexandra Palace in May, the band have come under fire for their controversial comments, resulting in a criminal investigation. While performing on the West Holts stage at the Worthy Farm festival, singer Bobby Vylan chanted: "Death, death to the IDF" (Israel Defence Forces). But on Wednesday, Bobby told fans that their chants could lead them into more trouble, as they began repeating: "Death, death to the IDF," at The 100 Club. He told fans that the chant would "get me in trouble." Bobby added: "Every other chant is fine but yous will get me in trouble," as he encouraged the crowd to chant: "Free, free Palestine." The 34-year-old went on to say: "I am pretty tired. It's been a busy week, been a busy couple of days do you know what I mean? Just putting out fires you know? "We never ever could have imagined that we would create a conversation that needed to be created and needed to be had. It kind of feels like we have completed punk rock just a little bit. We set the game on the hardest level and just went f****** let's just go all in, shall we? "What is happening over there is an absolute mess, it is f***ing criminal what is happening to these people, they are now being concentrated into camps. They have been trying to silence us, they thought that this would shut us up, but the album is back in the charts." He continued: "We just want to see the liberation of the Palestinian people. That's it, I don't think it's too crazy a thing to ask. I don't think it's a violent thing to ask, right? The liberation of the Palestinian people from a tyrannical f***ing oppressor, that's all we want. But until then, free, free Palestine. "Each and every single time, they will not f***ing silence us." As the gig came to an end, the duo held up the Palestinian flag, with Bobby saying: "We are a loving band, we love you lot for being here with us. We love the Palestinian people. "Their strength, their resilience, their ability to keep on going in the face of it all is a beautiful and inspiring thing. So as hard as this week may have been for us, it has been nothing in comparison to what the Palestinian people are going through right now. That is where the attention should be. "That is where the focus should be. That is where these politicians and media outlets should be focusing their attention right now, not on the words or the actions of a f***ing punk band. It is ridiculous and it only speaks to the ridiculous state of this country right now." Following the backlash around their Glastonbury set, it emerged that while performing at Alexandra Palace on May 28, Bobby allegedly said: "Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF." A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police told the Mirror: "Officers are investigating comments allegedly made during a concert at Alexandra Palace earlier this year. "The decision to investigate follows the emergence of footage which appears to have been filmed at the venue on 28 May 2025." Since then, they have reportedly been dropped by their agency, United Talent Agency (UTA), which appears to have removed the group from their website, and have also been pulled from a number of concerts, including their US tour, after having their visas revoked.
Glasgow Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Kneecap slate John Swinney at Glasgow gig ahead of TRNSMT
The group were due to headline the King Tut's stage on Friday at Glasgow Green but were axed from the line-up amid a row over an investigation by counter-terror police into Liam Og O hAnnaidh. The member, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence over the display of a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig in November last year. He was released on unconditional bail last month. On Tuesday, Kneecap performed a sold-out show at the city's O2 Academy. READ NEXT: 'Censorship of free speech': Kneecap fans at O2 Academy gig slam TRNSMT axe READ NEXT: 'Deeply questionable': Glasgow politicians question Kneecap TRNSMT axe (Image: (Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)) In May, Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called for TRNSMT to cancel the performance on July 11, saying that 'organisers of TRNSMT have got to consider that issue'. Around 10 minutes into their performance, the group asked the crowd: "What's your first minister's name?". They then swore before adding: "They stopped us playing TRNSMT but they can't stop us playing Glasgow." The band – consisting of Ó hAnnaidh, DJ Provai, and Moglai Bap – said they did not believe the TRNSMT cancellation was the festival's fault. (Image: Andrew Milligan) The group later said the festival row had suggested their gigs were "hate-fests" but that they were about inclusion and tolerance. Kneecap also led a chant against Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the performance after he also called for the band to be cut from Glastonbury. At the Worthy Farm festival, the band thanked Glastonbury for keeping them on the bill and told the crowd the "prime minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play". The biggest reaction all night came when Ó hAnnaidh said the British government had "done nothing for Ireland and nothing for Glasgow". The gig concluded with their track The Recap about their victorious court battle with the UK Government over a funding grant. Ahead of the Glasgow performance, a group of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered near the O2 Academy, welcoming the band when they arrived. Kneecap posted a "hats off" to the activists on X, saying they were "buzzing to play one of our favourite cities". A number of fans and demonstrators spoke to The National outside the venue about their support for Kneecap. One woman from Lanark said: "I'm here for the music, but I'm also here for support. I'm here for Palestine. I'm here for a united Ireland. I'm here for a better future and for free speech." During the show, Ó hAnnaidh issued an expletive-laden critique of Israel, though added he meant "the government, not the people". The band also faced criticism after footage emerged from a 2023 gig appearing to show one member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Although the Metropolitan Police initially investigated the video, the force declined to take further action due to the offences being beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution. Kneecap said footage of their comments and of them holding the Hezbollah flag had been taken out of context.
Irish Post
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Irish bands pull out of Manchester's Radar Festival in solidarity with Bob Vylan
TWO Irish bands have pulled out of Radar Festival in Manchester in solidarity with Bob Vylan after the controversy over the latter's Glastonbury set. The Scratch and Hero in Error were both due to perform today at the festival at Victoria Warehouse in Trafford Park. However, while the bands have now backed out, both expressed their sympathy for the organisers of the festival and the situation they were placed in. Radar co-organiser Catherine Jackson-Smith revealed this week that she had received a death threat in the wake of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set. The punk duo were criticised after singer Bobby Vylan chanted 'Death to the IDF' at the Worthy Farm festival last Saturday in solidarity with the tens of thousands of people killed in Gaza. The band were subsequently dropped from Radar Festival, as well as Kave Festival in France and from a venue in Germany where they were due to open for American band Gogol Bordello. They also had their US visas cancelled, with State Department Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau saying 'foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country'. 'Shadowy government influence' Following the decision to drop Bob Vylan from Radar's Saturday line-up, Dublin band The Scratch revealed they had pulled out of their Sunday slot at the event. "The censorship and deplatforming of artists speaking out against the ongoing genocide in Gaza is greasy, dangerous and must be challenged," the Choice Music Prize nominees said in a statement. "To be clear, this decision is not a criticism of Radar Festival. "We understand it was an incredibly difficult and complex situation. "This is about showing solidarity with Bob Vylan and any artists who may face similar treatment in the future. "Shadowy government influence and wealthy lobbying groups should not be allowed to dictate who is given a platform and what can he said on it. "This situation will only worsen unless we, as artists, support one another and take action. "Get Netanyahu to the ICJ. "Up Bob Vylan. Free Palestine." Bobby Vylan of Bob Vylan pictured yesterday at Finsbury Park in London, where Irish band Fontaines D.C. were being supported by Kneecap (Image: Tabatha Fireman / Dave Benett / Getty Images) Echoing those words, fellow Dublin band Hero In Error posted: "After speaking with Radar's organisers, it's clear they're facing the same pressures that many de-platformed artists are currently experiencing. "They are good people and it's evident they stand for progressive ideals. "Both they and the artists being targeted are caught in a wider effort to deflect attention from the reality of what's happening. "We respect the work Radar has done, but we believe that stepping back from this year's event in the right decision at this time." Brighton-based band GENN also pulled out of the festival for their 'safety and sanity'. "Pressure needs to be placed on those who are instigating the censorship of a genocide happening in real time," they added. 'We didn't want to pull them' Speaking to the 2 Promoters, 1 Pod podcast, Ms Jackson-Smith said she was told that if the organisers kept Bob Vylan on the bill, the three-day festival would not be permitted to go ahead on Saturday. She said she had to take into consideration that 41 other acts were due to play at the festival and both artists and fans had already spent significant money and travelled long distances to attend. "We didn't want to pull them, it was out of our hands," she said, adding: "I cannot express clearly enough that I wanted Bob Vylan to perform at our festival." Ms Jackson-Smith added that she and her co-organisers considered trying to draft in Kneecap to replace Bob Vylan, or another act that had previously expressed solidarity for the Belfast band. Speaking to the podcast, she said Radar Festival became the focus of attention after it emerged it was the next event Bob Vylan were due to play following Glastonbury. She said she had received a barrage of emails following last Saturday's events, as well as a threatening phone call, saying 'a bunch of absolutely vile things'. She added: "It finished with, 'We know who you are, we know what you look like, we know where you're going to be — do you feel safe? Watch your back.'"
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Rod Stewart's 'hilarious blunder' at Glastonbury that fans failed to spot
Sir Rod Stewart took to the stage in the legends slot on the Pyramid Stage on the last day of Glastonbury, but many fans failed to spot the "hilarious" blunder he experienced Glastonbury Festival goers and Sir Rod Stewart fans have been left in stitches after spotting a "hilarious" gaffe the singer made during his performance, which has only just come to light. The amusing incident was highlighted by comedian Harry Hill, who took to Instagram to share a clip of Sir Rod's on-stage antics. The footage has since gone viral, with many finding humour in the cheeky "blunder" that occurred during Sir Rod's set. In a fit of giggles while watching Glastonbury Festival, Harry captioned the post: "I think my Glasto highlight has been Sir Rod blowing his nose." Accompanying the video, Harry poked fun at the 80-year-old rock legend for seemingly fishing out a handkerchief before nonchalantly blowing his nose in full view of the audience. Prior to the humorous episode, Sir Rod can be seen rummaging in his pocket for the tissue before heading over to the side of the stage to get one. The post has racked up over 15,000 likes and sparked a flurry of comments from amused viewers. One user simply stated: "Hilarious." Another chimed in with: "TV highlight of the week." A witty third remarked: "Do you think I'm snotty?" Others praised the star's showmanship, with one saying: "He was brill. Loved him going off stage for a cuppa. Good on him. True entertainer." Sir Rod graced the Pyramid Stage for the legends slot on the final day of the Worthy Farm festival. Accompanied by back-up vocalists and his band, the singer delighted fans with renditions of his beloved classics. Ahead of his much-anticipated Glastonbury performance, Sir Rod encountered a string of challenges. He was forced to cancel a handful of US gigs in early June as he battled the flu before the festival. He has previously revealed his intention to cease "large-scale world tours" after 2025, favouring more personal venues instead. Yet, as he took the stage at Glastonbury, the crowd's reaction suggested he still possesses the flair for an electrifying performance. On social media platform X, one admirer posted: "Massive crowd for Rod fair play." Another chimed in with: "Bigger turnout for Rod than Neil Young last night." A third commented: "All those eyes on Rod. He looks fabulous for his age." Another fan expressed: "He deserves that crowd after all these years." The Maggie May crooner stepped into the legendary tea-time slot at the prestigious festival, following in the footsteps of icons like James Brown, Diana Ross and Shania Twain. In anticipation of the event, Sir Rod shared his excitement with Radio Times: "I'm really looking forward to it, and it is a different gig. It's like when you're playing a cup final you're trying to treat it like another game. "But, of course, it's not. It's special. It'll be glamorous, it'll be sexy. And we've got a little orchestra coming on to play with us. And we may have some bagpipes." Fans were beside themselves with excitement on Sunday when the artist was accompanied onstage by his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Bob Vylan dropped by agents in latest blow after Glastonbury controversy
Bob Vylan has been dropped by their agent following their shocking behaviour on stage during Glastonbury. The band sparked controversy during their set at the Worthy Farm festival. During their set on the West Holts stage on Saturday, they led chants of 'death to the IDF' from the stage, leaving both Glastonbury founder Emily Eavis and the BBC fuming. Politicians and the public also heavily criticised their comments. The duo - who hail from Ipswich - no longer feature on the website of United Talent Agency, having previously been on there. It was reported by Deadline that there had been conversations over the weekend between executives before it was decided that Bob Vylan would be dropped and they now no longer feature on their talent roster. Today, the BBC issued a statement to say they should have cut the livestream to Bob Vylan's set. The set was uploaded to iPlayer and remained on the site for more than five hours before it was eventually removed by the BBC. The BBC said in a statement: "Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output but one performance within our live streams included comments that were deeply offensive. "The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury's condemnation of the performance. The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer." They added: "The judgement on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines. In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand. The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen. In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air." Last night, Bobby Vylan took to Instagram to defiantly say: "I said what I said," alongside a lengthy statement where he wrote about the state of school dinners and teaching our children to "speak up for the change they want". In a statement over the weekend, Glastonbury boss Emily Eavis said: "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."
