Bob Vylan performs on the West Holts Stage, through the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. England, Saturday, June 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
British police stated they had been analyzing movies of a band that led chants of “death to the IDF” or Israel Defense Forces at Saturday’s Glastonbury Festival.
Rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds attending the competition in chants of “free, free Palestine” and “demise, demise to the IDF.”
DJ Provai of Kneecap, carrying a balaclava within the colors of the Irish flag, performs at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Avon and Somerset Police stated video proof could be assessed by officers “to determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
The Israeli Embassy to the U.K. said on social media that it was “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Sunday (June 29, 2025) condemned the band’s actions as “appalling.” He told Sky News that the BBC and festival organizers had to answer questions about how the comments were broadcast live to millions.
The government said Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan’s performance.
The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about “very strong and discriminatory language” through the reside stream.
Revellers with Palestinian and different flags collect as Kneecap performs at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Saturday’s competition lineup additionally included Irish-language rap group Kneecap, which gave an impassioned efficiency for tens of hundreds of followers regardless of criticism by British politicians and a terror cost for one of many trio.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs below the stage identify Mo Chara, has been charged below the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed group for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a live performance in London in November.
The rapper, who was charged below the anglicized model of his identify, Liam O’Hanna, is on unconditional bail earlier than an additional courtroom listening to in August.
The group has confronted criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, particularly since movies emerged allegedly displaying the band shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and calling on individuals to kill lawmakers.
On Saturday band members led the viewers in chants of “Free Palestine” and “Free Mo Chara.” They additionally aimed an expletive-laden chant at U.Okay. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has stated he didn’t assume it was “appropriate” for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.
About 200,000 ticket holders have turned up in southwest England for Britain’s most prestigious summer season music competition, which options nearly 4,000 performers on 120 levels.
Published – June 29, 2025 04:15 pm IST