Glastonbury Acts Spark Controversy, Prompt Police Review
Festival Performances Under Scrutiny
A police investigation is underway following comments made by performers at the Glastonbury Festival. Authorities are assessing remarks from the rap-punk duo **Bob Vylan** and the Irish-language rap group **Kneecap**, who appeared on the West Holts stage Saturday.
The government has voiced strong disapproval of chants from **Bob Vylan**. During a live BBC broadcast, they called for the “death” of the Israeli military. Rapper **Bobby Vylan** also led chants of “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]”.
A BBC spokesperson labeled some remarks as “deeply offensive.” The broadcaster also issued a warning onscreen about “very strong and discriminatory language.” The performance will not be available on BBC iPlayer for replay.
Official Reactions and Responses
The Israeli Embassy took to social media platform X to express their deep disturbance with the “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric.” Glastonbury Festival issued a statement saying they “do not condone hate speech or incitement to violence of any kind from its performers.”
“Glastonbury Festival does not condone hate speech or incitement to violence of any kind from its performers.”
— Glastonbury Festival Statement
Following **Bob Vylan’s** performance, a government spokesperson shared that Culture Secretary **Lisa Nandy** contacted BBC director-general **Tim Davie**, seeking an “urgent explanation about what due diligence” the broadcaster took before airing the act. The government welcomed the decision to not rebroadcast the performance on iPlayer.
Focus on Kneecap
**Kneecap’s** performance followed **Bob Vylan’s** set. The group has been in headlines recently due to rapper **Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh**, also known as **Mo Chara**, being charged with a terrorism offense. He is accused of displaying the flag of the proscribed terrorist organization Hezbollah at a concert. He has denied the charge.
Following the performances, Avon and Somerset Police announced they will review footage of the comments made on the West Holts stage. The force said footage “will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
The band’s performance on Saturday, filled with expletive-laden chants, was aimed at Prime Minister **Sir Keir Starmer**. He had previously called their Glastonbury appearance “not appropriate.” **Mr. Ó hAnnaidh** is currently on bail after a court hearing in London. According to a recent report, there has been a 20% increase in online hate speech over the past year (Hate Speech Monitor 2024).
