London (BN24) – Bob Vylan have been dropped by their talent agency and had their U.S. visas revoked after the duo’s controversial set at Glastonbury Festival sparked widespread condemnation and accusations of incitement to violence.
During their Saturday performance on the West Holts Stage, frontman Bobby Vylan led chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF,” prompting fierce criticism from politicians, broadcasters, and campaign groups.
The BBC, which streamed the set live, said it regretted not halting the broadcast. Media regulator Ofcom announced it was urgently investigating whether the corporation breached editorial standards.
On Monday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed Bob Vylan’s American visas had been canceled ahead of a planned tour.
“The State Department has revoked the U.S. visas for the members of Bob Vylan in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants,” Landau posted on X. “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
Sky News reported that United Talent Agency had terminated its representation of the band.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the group’s remarks as “appalling hate speech,” while Health Secretary Wes Streeting called the chants especially offensive in light of last October’s massacre at the Nova music festival in Israel.
Festival organizer Emily Eavis said Bob Vylan had “very much crossed a line,” and reiterated that Glastonbury would not tolerate antisemitism or incitement to violence.
The BBC initially defended its decision to display an on-screen warning for “strong and discriminatory language.” However, it issued a stronger statement on Monday:
“The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury’s condemnation of the performance,” the broadcaster said. “The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.”
A spokesperson added that the performance had not been made available on demand and that the BBC would review its guidance for covering live events.
An Ofcom spokesperson confirmed the regulator was investigating:
“We are very concerned about the live stream of this performance, and the BBC clearly has questions to answer. We are obtaining further information as a matter of urgency, including what procedures were in place to ensure compliance with its editorial guidelines.”
Police said they were reviewing footage of Bob Vylan’s and fellow performers Kneecap’s sets to determine whether any criminal offences were committed.
Israel’s embassy in the UK condemned the chants as “inflammatory and hateful rhetoric,” claiming they advocated “the dismantling of the State of Israel.” The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it would formally complain to the BBC over what it called an “outrageous decision” to air the performance.
Bobby Vylan defended the set in an Instagram post, saying:
“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… it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.”
Some festival-goers expressed understanding of the anger over Gaza but criticized the chants.
“Inciting more death and violence is not the way to do it,” said Lucy McMullin, who attended the performance.
Women and Equalities Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told Sky News she was surprised the BBC continued broadcasting:
“It clearly over-stepped the mark.”
Bob Vylan’s set included a backdrop stating that Israel’s actions in Gaza amounted to “genocide,” and footage showed some in the crowd joining the chants.
The performance followed months of global outrage over the war in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardments since October.
Prime Minister Starmer, pressed on whether he retained confidence in BBC Director-General Tim Davie, declined to give a direct answer.
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