British punk duo Bob Vylan have been barred from entering the United States following their controversial set at Glastonbury Festival, where they led chants calling for “death to the IDF” and “free, free Palestine.”
The ban, confirmed by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, comes amid widespread backlash over the performance, which is now under police review in the U.S.
Bob Vylan, made up of frontman Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan, performed on Glastonbury’s West Holts Stage on Saturday ahead of Irish group Kneecap. Their set, which included inflammatory chants and a stage display referring to Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide,” triggered sharp criticism from politicians, law enforcement, and international organisations.
Shortly after the performance, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they were reviewing video footage to determine whether any criminal offences had been committed.
A post from the force stated: “We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival. Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
The duo had been scheduled to tour the US from October to December, with dates planned in cities including Seattle, Chicago, Boston, New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.
However, those plans have now been cancelled, with Landau citing the band’s “hateful tirade at Glastonbury” as grounds for revoking their visas.
Earlier today, a senior State Department official told The Daily Caller that the US government “will not issue visas to any foreigner who supports terrorists”, signalling a zero-tolerance policy under the Trump administration.
The controversy has also impacted the band’s representation. Talent agency UTA has reportedly dropped the group following what Deadline described as a “flurry of conversations among senior executives.” The band’s profile has been removed from the agency’s website.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy addressed the incident in Parliament on Monday, condemning the “appalling and unacceptable scenes” broadcast to viewers.
“As a Government, we strongly support freedom of expression and I will robustly defend artistic independence,” Nandy told MPs. “But we do not accept that incitement to violence, hate speech, or antisemitism is art. There is a clear difference between speaking out for Palestine, which is a right, and promoting antisemitism, which is not, and never will be.”
Kneecap, who performed after Bob Vylan, also sparked controversy during their set by calling on the crowd to “riot” ahead of a court appearance for one of their members, who faces terrorism charges. Their performance was not broadcast by the BBC.
The BBC has since distanced itself from the incident, stating that some comments made during Bob Vylan’s set were “deeply offensive.”
The broadcaster added: “During this live stream on iPlayer, a warning was issued about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.”
Bobby Vylan has since responded to the backlash, sharing a statement on social media promoting activism, while dismissing the controversy.
In one post, he posed with a tub of vegan ice cream alongside the caption: “While Zionists are crying on socials, I’ve just had a tub of (vegan) ice cream.”
In a longer statement, he reflected on the importance of teaching the next generation to demand change, linking personal experiences to broader political activism.
Despite the fallout, Bob Vylan are expected to continue performing in the UK, with appearances scheduled this weekend at Manchester’s Radar Festival, followed by All Together Now in Ireland on August 3, and Boardmasters in Newquay on August 6.
M10News has contacted the US State Department, representatives for Bob Vylan, and United Talent Agency for comment.
