{"id":45470,"date":"2025-07-07T08:06:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T08:06:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/45470\/"},"modified":"2025-07-07T08:06:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T08:06:08","slug":"bands-continue-exiting-radar-festival-following-bob-vylan-controversy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/45470\/","title":{"rendered":"Bands Continue Exiting Radar Festival Following Bob Vylan Controversy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tManchester\u2019s Radar Festival<\/a> is seeing a growing wave of artist withdrawals in the wake of Bob Vylan\u2019s controversial Glastonbury<\/a> performance and subsequent removal from the Manchester event\u2019s lineup.<\/p>\n

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\n\tThe latest act to announce their exit is Dublin metalcore band Hero In Error, who announced on Instagram<\/a> that they would no longer perform at the independent event, set to run through July 6 at Manchester\u2019s O2 Victoria Warehouse. \u201cWe will not be performing at Radar Festival this weekend,\u201d they began in a statement.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cAfter speaking with Radar\u2019s organisers, it\u2019s clear they\u2019re facing the same pressures that many de-platformed artists are currently experiencing. They are good people, and it\u2019s evident they stand for progressive ideals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThey continued, \u201cBoth they and the artists being targeted are caught in a wider effort to deflect attention from the reality of what\u2019s happening. We respect the work Radar has done, but we believe that stepping back from this year\u2019s event is the right decision at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tTheir departure follows similar moves from The Scratch and \u0120ENN, who also withdrew over the weekend in protest of Bob Vylan\u2019s removal. Meanwhile, The Scratch shared their own message<\/a> with fans, explaining their decision to withdraw as an act of solidarity.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cThe censorship and de-platforming of artists speaking out against the ongoing genocide in Gaza is greasy, dangerous and must be challenged,\u201d they wrote. \u201cTo be clear, this decision is not a criticism of Radar Festival. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThey continued, \u201cShadowy government influence and wealthy lobbying groups should not be allowed to dictate who is given a platform and what can be said on it. This situation will only worsen unless we, as artists, support one another and take action.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u0120ENN echoed a similar sentiment<\/a>, citing concerns about \u201cbullying, censorship, and strong-arming\u201d directed at Bob Vylan and Radar Festival.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cAs a minority on pretty much every line-up, and with a relatively modest platform, we considered whether we could use our physical presence to speak against the bullying, censorship, and strong-arming demonstrated towards the likes of both Bob Vylan and Radar,\u201d the band said. \u201cFor our safety and sanity, we\u2019ve made the final decision to pull out from performing at Radar this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cOur fight should not be focused on the policing of those who are trying to spread awareness within their means. This is a distraction from a wider picture. Pressure needs to be placed on those who are instigating the censorship of a genocide happening in real time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBob Vylan were pulled from Radar earlier this week after leading chants of \u201cdeath to the IDF\u201d during their Glastonbury set on June 28. The duo also criticised the BBC, the U.S. and U.K. governments, and more, sparking widespread backlash. Glastonbury organisers said the chants \u201ccrossed a line,\u201d calling it \u201canti-Semitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tIn the days since, Bob Vylan have been dropped by their agency, lost multiple international festival slots, and had their U.S. visas revoked. The duo maintain that their remarks were not calling for harm to any group but rather \u201cthe dismantling of a violent military machine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tRadar Festival organiser Catherine Jackson-Smith has been vocal about the pressure placed on the event, saying it was \u201ccategorically one of the most horrendous professional discussions I\u2019ve ever had\u201d to remove Bob Vylan. \u201cI cannot express clearly enough that I wanted Bob Vylan to perform at our festival,\u201d she told the Two Promoters One Pod podcast<\/a> but revealed the decision was made to avoid jeopardising the festival\u2019s entire Saturday program.<\/p>\n

\n\tMeanwhile, Massive Attack and other artists including Amyl and The Sniffers and Soft Play have publicly supported Bob Vylan, urging the media to focus on \u201cwhat is happening daily to the people of Gaza\u201d rather than silencing artists who speak out.<\/p>\n

\n\tRadar Festival has yet to confirm a replacement for Bob Vylan\u2019s headline slot.<\/p>\n