UK pop duo Bob Vylan dropped from multiple festivals following ‘Death to IDF’ chant at Glastonbury
British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from several music festivals in the UK and Europe following their Glastonbury performance, during which they led chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces).”
Radar Festival in Manchester, where the duo were scheduled to headline this Saturday, confirmed in a statement that Bob Vylan would no longer be appearing. The group responded in an Instagram story according to the BBC: “Silence is not an option. Manchester, we will be back. We will be fine. The people of Palestine are hurting.”
Their removal from the UK lineup follows cancellations across the continent. France’s Kave Fest announced that Bob Vylan would no longer perform at the event due to growing pressure from local authorities and the band’s recent separation from their talent agency.
“In light of recent events, Bob Vylan have been dropped by their agent. The Eure department and the city of Gisors have informed us they will oppose Bob Vylan’s presence,” organisers said in a statement. They added that they support freedom of expression for all artists, but had no choice but to remove the act.
The group has also been blocked from supporting US band Gogol Bordello at the Live Music Hall venue in Germany later this year. The venue reportedly withdrew its slot independently of festival organisers, reported Rolling Stone.
Earlier this week, Bob Vylan revealed their US visas had been revoked, effectively cancelling their North American tour. United Talent Agency has also severed ties with them.
In response to the controversy, Bob Vylan issued a statement clarifying the context of their “Death to the IDF” chant.
“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 said on Instagram, referencing reports of excessive force used by Israeli soldiers against civilians in Gaza. “Whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction. We are not the story.”
Glastonbury organisers previously distanced themselves from the duo’s remarks, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the chant as “appalling hate speech.”
During their set at Worthy Farm, frontman Bobby Vylan also called out a former record label boss who had voiced pro-Israel sentiments and supported a campaign to remove Irish-language rap group Kneecap from the Glastonbury lineup.
Despite mounting professional consequences, the duo remain defiant. “News articles you may have missed over the past few days, while politicians and the media debate the dangers of a Punk Band. From starving children to proscribing activists as terrorist groups. Do not be distracted,” they urged in a new Instagram post.
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