By M10News Culture Correspondent
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Manchester, UK – British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan have been pulled from festival line-ups in Manchester and France following chants made during their controversial Glastonbury performance, which is now under police investigation.
The group, made up of Pascal Robinson-Foster (aka Bobby Vylan) and bandmate Bobbie Vylan, were due to headline Radar Festival in Manchester this Saturday and perform at Kave Fest in France on Sunday. However, both appearances have now been cancelled.
Radar Festival confirmed the decision in a statement on Instagram: “Bob Vylan will not be appearing at Radar Festival this weekend.” Their website was later updated to show “Headliner TBA” in the Saturday slot.
The duo responded on their Instagram story, posting the festival’s announcement with a caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine. The people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester—we will be back.”
Police Probe Glastonbury Performance
The backlash stems from Bob Vylan’s livestreamed performance on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury on Saturday, during which they led chants including “Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces].”
On Monday, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they had launched an investigation into the set, which is being treated as a public order incident. “The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes,” a spokesperson said.
The set from Irish rap group Kneecap, who performed immediately after and led chants of “Free Palestine,” is also under review.
Band Defends Remarks Amid Backlash
On Tuesday, Bob Vylan issued a new statement denying antisemitism and defending their stance:
“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs, or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine.”
They criticised the media and government for focusing on their performance rather than the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Irish rap trio Kneecap’s performance is also under investigation (Picture: Maja Smiejkowska/Shutterstock)
“Whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction,” they wrote. “We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first. We will not be the last. Free Palestine.”
BBC, Ofcom, and Government Condemnation
The BBC, which livestreamed the performance on iPlayer, expressed regret over not immediately pulling the set, stating: “The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.” The performance was not made available on demand, and an on-screen warning was issued during the broadcast.
Ofcom said it is “very concerned” and is pressing the BBC for answers. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer labelled the chants “appalling hate speech.”
Glastonbury organisers also condemned the performance, stating they were “appalled by the statements” made by the band.
Visa Revoked, US Tour in Jeopardy
The controversy has now gone international. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed that Bob Vylan’s American visas had been revoked due to what he called their “hateful tirade at Glastonbury.”
The band was due to support American-Canadian artist Grandson on a North American tour this autumn. Grandson responded on TikTok, affirming: “I stand with Bob Vylan. They remain on my album, and if visas allow, we’ll rock stages across North America together.”
Bob Vylan is still scheduled to appear at Boardmasters Festival in Cornwall this August, though it’s unclear whether that booking will proceed.
A History of Political Commentary
Formed in Ipswich in 2017, Bob Vylan is known for blending punk and rap with politically charged lyrics that take aim at systemic racism, inequality, and institutional injustice.
Frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, has previously spoken out on the importance of protest through art, writing on Instagram: “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way to make this world better.”
As the investigation continues, debate around artistic expression, antisemitism, and censorship remains sharply divided, with festival organisers, broadcasters, and governments now drawn into the global fallout.
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