Bob Vylan and Kneecap have been at the centre of controversy following their performances at Glastonbury FestivalKatie Timms Head of Content, Oliver Radcliffe GAU Writer, Casey Cooper-Fiske and Hannah Roberts and PA Entertainment Reporters
09:01, 29 Jun 2025
Police are investigating two high profile gigs at Glastonbury yesterday(Image: Leon Neal, Getty Images)
Performances at Glastonbury have sparked controversy and are currently under police investigation due to their contentious nature after statements were made on-stage by artists Bob Vylan and Kneecap.
On Saturday, Bobby Vylan rallied festival-goers on the West Holts Stage with cries of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF”, while a member from the Irish rap group Kneecap encouraged attendees to “start a riot” at his bandmate’s future court date.
Avon and Somerset Police took to social media to comment: “We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon. Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
The Israeli Embassy responded via social media, saying they were “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival”.
They further stated on X: “Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of democracy. But when speech crosses into incitement, hatred, and advocacy of ethnic cleansing, it must be called out-especially when amplified by public figures on prominent platforms.”, reports Somerset Live.
“Chants such as ‘Death to the IDF,’ and ‘From the river to the sea’ are slogans that advocate for the dismantling of the State of Israel and implicitly call for the elimination of Jewish self-determination. When such messages are delivered before tens of thousands of festivalgoers and met with applause, it raises serious concerns about the normalisation of extremist language and the glorification of violence.
“We call on Glastonbury Festival organisers, artists, and public leaders in the UK to denounce this rhetoric and reject of all forms of hatred.”
Bob Vylan’s set caused controversy after his remarks(Image: Kieran Frost, Redfernsvia Getty Images)
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labelled the scenes “grotesque”, stating on Twitter: “Glorifying violence against Jews isn’t edgy. The West is playing with fire if we allow this sort of behaviour to go unchecked. The cultural establishment needs to wake up to the fact this isn’t protest, it’s incitement.
“Less than two years ago, hundreds were raped and murdered at a music festival. It’s not just the act but the gormless people clapping along and cheering. People with no idea what real terror is. They don’t understand the evil ideology they’re amplifying – and they don’t care.”
A BBC spokesperson commented: “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.”
A Government spokesperson has revealed that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy discussed Bob Vylan’s performance at Glastonbury with the BBC director general.
They stated: “We strongly condemn the threatening comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury. The Culture Secretary has spoken to the BBC director general to seek an urgent explanation about what due diligence it carried out ahead of the Bob Vylan performance, and welcomes the decision not to re-broadcast it on BBC iPlayer.”
Unlike Kneecap, Vylan’s performance was aired lived on iPlayer(Image: Kieran Frost, Redfernsvia Getty Images)
In recent news, Kneecap, from Belfast, have found themselves at the centre of media attention after band member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, faced a terror charge.
Following his colleague’s legal troubles, Naoise O Caireallain, stage name Moglai Bap, mentioned they would “start a riot outside the courts”, but later clarified his statement adding: “No riots just love and support, and support for Palestine.”
Ahead of their appearance at the festival on Worthy Farm in Somerset, there had been calls from several politicians to remove the group from the event, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remarked their act wouldn’t be “appropriate”.
Caireallain addressed the audience during their act saying: “The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.”
Additionally, he voices his support towards Glasto organisers the Eavis family, acknowledging “they stood strong” despite demands for the festival organisers to cancel their performance.
O hAnnaidh, 27, donned a keffiyeh during their performance, while JJ O Dochartaigh, known as DJ Provai, sported his iconic tri-coloured balaclava and a T-shirt emblazoned with “We are all Palestine Action”, nodding to the campaign group facing prohibition.
The hip hop trio’s entrance was preceded by news clips criticising them, which were met with jeers from the Glastonbury crowd.
Kneecap’s set will not be uploaded to iPlayer after their comments (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)
Kicking off with ‘Better Way To Live’ from their latest album ‘Fine Art’, they also belted out hits like ‘Get Your Brits Out’ and ‘Hood’.
The vicinity of the West Holts Stage was shut down roughly 45 minutes prior to their act due to fans gathering, waving a mix of Irish and Palestinian flags.
The BBC earlier announced it wouldn’t broadcast the set live but indicated it might be accessible on-demand at a later time.
O hAnnaidh faces charges for purportedly showing support for Hezbollah, a banned terrorist group, after allegedly chanting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a concert last November.
On June 18, he was greeted by a crowd of supporters as he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court alongside bandmates O Caireallain and O Dochartaigh, all wearing Free Mo Chara T-shirts.
He has been granted unconditional bail until his next court appearance on August 20.