BBC director of music steps down after Bob Vylan Glastonbury controversy

By David Mouriquand

A BBC music boss has reportedly stepped down following the backlash around British punk-rap Bob Vylan’s controversial Glastonbury 2025 set. Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s director of music, was reported by The Times as stepping back from her day-to-day responsibilities – including overseeing live music events – following the backlash to livestreaming Bob Vylan’s performance last month. Other senior BBC staff have also temporarily relinquished their day-to-day roles over the Glastonbury controversy – pending an investigation. The news of Clarke’s resignation comes after UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy condemned the “appalling and unacceptable scenes” and said she had called BBC director-general Tim Davie after the broadcast of Bob Vylan’s set. Nandy claimed there is “a problem of leadership” at the BBC, and criticised the corporation over its decision not to pull the livestream after Bob Vylan’s frontman shouted “death, death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces). Nandy also said in Parliament that “chanting death to the IDF is equivalent to calling for the death of every single Israeli Jew” – a comment that was heavily criticised online. In a statement last week, the BBC apologised to viewers for broadcasting the performance. The statement said that Bob Vylan’s comments were “offensive and deplorable” and the broadcasting organisation admitted that despite considering the set “high risk” it deemed the concert suitable for live streaming. It then added that the BBC will no longer broadcast any performances it deems to be “high risk”.Several artists including have backed Bob Vylan with a letter, which stated: “Again, the media is trying to distract you from the real story. The outrage sparked (…) is merely a smoke screen for the lack of reporting on the destruction of the Palestinian people. They are starving children, where is the media’s outrage at Israel’s continued obliteration of a whole nation?” However, Bob Vylan have found their Glastonbury appearance under criminal investigation and have been dropped from upcoming festivals in the UK and France.Furthermore, the band have reportedly been dropped by their agents and have had their US visas revoked. The duo has spoken out in defence of their set and comments, saying it is vital to “teach our children to speak up for the change they want” and that they are not calling for “the death of Jews or Arabs or any other race or group” but wish for the “dismantling of a violent military machine.”

Read More…