By Stephen Topping
A band who were due to perform at this weekend’s Radar Festival in Manchester have pulled out in ‘solidarity’ with Bob Vylan. The three-day festival kicks off at O2 Victoria Warehouse, in Trafford , later today (July 4). Bob Vylan were supposed to headline on Saturday, but the band were axed from the line-up on Wednesday . The decision followed fury over comments made by frontman Bobby Vylan during their set at Glastonbury last weekend, in which he chanted ‘death to the IDF’, referring to the Israel Defense Forces. Those comments sparked a furious row involving politicians and the BBC, which allowed a live stream of Bob Vylan’s set to continue, while the band have since had their visas revoked for scheduled performances in the United States. Avon and Somerset Police also confirmed it was investigating whether any crime had been committed. Irish metal band The Scratch have now confirmed they will not perform at Radar Festival this weekend, in a move to ‘support’ Bob Vylan. In a statement shared on Instagram this morning, the band called out the ‘censorship and deplatforming of artists’ who have spoken out against Israel’s actions in Gaza. And although the band sympathised with the situation festival organisers faced regarding Bob Vylan, they will no longer perform their scheduled gig on Sunday. “To be clear, this decision is not a criticism of Radar Festival,” the band said. “We understand it was an incredibly difficult and complex situation. This is about showing solidarity with Bob Vylan and any artist who may face similar treatment in the future.” Their statement added: “This situation will only worsen unless we, as artists, support one another and take action.” Radar Festival is yet to announce a replacement for Bob Vylan as headliner tomorrow. Organisers issued a short statement on social media on Wednesday, which said: “Bob Vylan will not be appearing at Radar Festival this weekend.” Speaking prior to the band’s cancellation from the line-up, Marc Levy, chief executive of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region, said: “Bob Vylan has engaged in open incitement against Jewish and Israeli people in the biggest music festival in the world. “The fact that this was broadcast live on the BBC is a national shame. It’s right they have been criticised and given an apology. Join our Manc Life WhatsApp group HERE “We have noted the act was due to perform in Manchester and call on our elected representatives and police to ensure that this performance does not go ahead. We need to ensure that those engaging in hate speech do not have a platform in this city.” In a statement issued earlier this week, Bob Vylan said the band were ‘not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people’ but ‘for the dismantling of a violent military machine’. They added: “We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first, we will not be the last, and if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up too.”