The 2025 Glastonbury Festival, one of the United Kingdom's most iconic music gatherings, has become the epicenter of a heated controversy following incendiary performances by the English punk duo Bob Vylan and the Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap. Both acts sparked widespread outrage after leading thousands of festivalgoers in chants that called for "death to the IDF" (Israel Defence Forces) and "free Palestine," remarks that have ignited a criminal investigation and political backlash across the UK and beyond.
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Bob Vylan took to the stage before a massive crowd, performing in front of a screen displaying provocative messages such as Israel's actions in Gaza amounting to "genocide." The band's frontman, Bobby Vylan, led chants of "death, death to the IDF" and declared, "From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free." These statements were broadcast live by the BBC as part of its Glastonbury coverage, a decision that has since come under intense scrutiny.
The BBC later expressed regret for not cutting the live stream during the performance, stating, "The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves." They acknowledged the live nature of the event but admitted that "with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen." The broadcaster emphasized its respect for freedom of expression while firmly standing against incitement to violence.
Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis condemned the chants as "crossing a line," emphasizing that there is no place at the festival for "antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence." She underscored the festival's commitment to "hope, unity, peace and love," while acknowledging that with nearly 4,000 performances, artists' views do not necessarily reflect the festival's stance.
In response to the backlash, Bobby Vylan released a video statement on Instagram on June 30, 2025, asserting that politicians criticizing the band should be "utterly ashamed" for prioritizing this controversy over other pressing issues. He defended the band's message, saying, "Regardless of how it was said, calling for an end to the slaughter of innocents is never wrong. To civilians of Israel, understand this anger is not directed at you, and don't let your government persuade you that a call against an army is a call against the people." He further stressed the importance of teaching younger generations to speak up for change, stating, "Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place." Shortly after posting, the video was removed from Instagram.
The controversy has had tangible consequences for Bob Vylan. The United States Department of State revoked the duo's visas, barring them from performing in the US. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau declared, "Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country." Additionally, the band was dropped by their US talent agency, United Talent Agency.
Following Bob Vylan's set, Kneecap took the stage, though their performance was not livestreamed by the BBC, likely a precaution given the earlier controversy. Nonetheless, their set found a vast audience online, particularly via TikTok. Known for their vocally pro-Palestinian stance, Kneecap led chants of "Free, free Palestine" and directed an expletive-laden chant at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had previously criticized their inclusion in the festival lineup.
Kneecap's frontman, Liam Og O hAnnaidh (also known as Mo Chara), is currently facing terrorism charges in the UK for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London concert last November. He appeared in court earlier this month. During the Glastonbury performance, O hAnnaidh called Israel "war criminals" and described the situation as "a f-----g genocide," while highlighting the numerous Palestinian flags in the crowd. He also remarked, "The BBC editors are gonna have some job," referencing the challenge of managing the politically charged content.
Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation into the performances of both Bob Vylan and Kneecap, classifying the events as a public order incident. A senior detective has been appointed to lead the inquiry, which is evidence-led and will consider all relevant legislation, including hate crime laws. The police acknowledged the volume of public responses from around the world and emphasized that "there is absolutely no place in society for hate."
Political leaders have weighed in heavily. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy criticized the BBC's editorial decisions, stating there is "a problem of leadership" at the corporation due to multiple editorial failures. She condemned the "appalling and unacceptable scenes" at Glastonbury and affirmed that the government would not tolerate antisemitism. Nandy personally contacted BBC Director-General Tim Davie to demand explanations for why the livestream was not cut and expects answers "without delay." Davie faces calls for resignation amid the fallout.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined the chorus of condemnation, calling the chants "appalling hate speech" and demanding that the BBC explain "how these scenes came to be broadcast." Media regulator Ofcom has also expressed concern, stating the BBC "clearly has questions to answer" regarding its live coverage.
The Israeli Embassy in London issued a strong statement condemning the chants, declaring they "cross into incitement, hatred, and advocacy of ethnic cleansing." The embassy highlighted that slogans like "Death to the IDF" and "From the river to the sea" implicitly call for the dismantling of the State of Israel and the elimination of Jewish self-determination. They warned that such messages, when applauded by tens of thousands, raise serious concerns about normalizing extremist language and glorifying violence.
The backdrop to this controversy is the ongoing and devastating war in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages. Since then, Israeli forces have conducted a military offensive that has resulted in the deaths of over 56,500 people, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which reports that more than half of the casualties are women and children. The conflict has drawn international scrutiny, including accusations of war crimes against Israel by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Despite the turmoil, Bob Vylan is scheduled to perform at upcoming UK festivals, including Radar Festival in Manchester on July 5, 2025, and Boardmasters in Newquay, Cornwall, in August. Their autumn tour plans include shows in Chicago, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia, though their US appearances are now uncertain due to visa revocation.
The 2025 Glastonbury controversy underscores the intersection of music, politics, and free speech, highlighting the challenges faced by broadcasters, festival organizers, and governments in navigating expressions of deeply divisive international conflicts on public stages. As investigations continue and debates rage, the festival's legacy this year will be marked not only by its music but also by its role in a global conversation about hate, protest, and the limits of expression.
