Glastonbury has condemned Bob Vylan after a controversial set branded “deeply offensive” by the BBC.
On Saturday (28 June), rapper Bobby Vylan, of rap punk duo Bob Vylan, led crowds on the festival’s West Holts Stage in chants of: “Free, free Palestine” and: “Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence League].”
The performance was broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, but the corporation banned it from appearing on the service in the direct aftermath and it’s been revealed that police are assessing the comments to decide whether any offences have been committed.
Glastonbury Festival has now shared a statement on the matter, with organisers saying they are “appalled’’ by the comment.
“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,” a statement read.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC director general about Bob Vylan’s performance, a government spokesperson said.
The rap punk act, who formed in 2017, are yet to officilly speak out on the controversy, but the BBC said in its own statement: “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.”
Shortly after Vylan’s performance, Kneecap took to the stage with a similarly politically-charged set, which is also under police investigation.
Band member Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, said on stage: “The prime minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer”, after several politicians, including the prime minister, called for Kneecap to be removed from the line-up.
The band also led crowds in chants of “Free Palestine”, with Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, commenting on the sheer number of flags at the festival.
The group, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after O hAnnaidh was charged with a terror offence after it was alleged he displayed a Hezbollah flag and said “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, last November.
Kneecap said they have “never supported” Hamas or Hezbollah.