British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan have faced widespread backlash—including festival cancellations, a lost US tour, and agency representation—after leading chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF” during their Glastonbury set last week.
Festivals Cut Ties Amid Pressure
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Radar Festival (UK): The Manchester event, where Bob Vylan were set to headline, dropped them, citing the “current climate.” The duo responded on Instagram: “Silence is not an option. Manchester, we will be back… The people of Palestine are hurting.”
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Kave Fest (France): Organizers said local authorities and the band’s agency separation forced their removal, though they claimed to support artistic freedom.
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Live Music Hall (Germany): The venue independently canceled their support slot for Gogol Bordello, per Rolling Stone.
US Visa Revoked, Agency Drops Them
The band revealed their U.S. visas were abruptly canceled, scrapping their North American tour. United Talent Agency (UTA) also severed ties.
Band Clarifies Chant Amid Outcry
Facing accusations of antisemitism, Bob Vylan stated on Instagram:
“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs, or any group. We are for dismantling a violent military machine.” They called the fallout a “distraction” from Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Political and Industry Backlash
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the chant as “appalling hate speech.”
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Glastonbury distanced itself from the remarks.
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During their set, frontman Bobby Vylan criticized a former label boss for supporting Israel and campaigning to remove Irish rap group Kneecap from the festival.
Free Speech vs. Consequences
The controversy highlights the escalating tensions around artistic expression on Palestine, with festivals and agencies facing pressure to take sides. While Bob Vylan insists their message is anti-war, not antisemitic, the fallout underscores the risks artists face in politicized climates.