Bob Vylan, the London-based punk-rap duo, has sparked controversy after leading anti-Israeli military chants during their performance at Glastonbury Festival.
The members are Bobby Vylan on vocals and guitar, and Bobbie Vylan on drums.
The duo had performed on the West Holts Stage, one of Glastonbury’s main stages, on June 28.
The group is scheduled to perform again at Boardmasters Festival in Newquay, Cornwall, England, on August 10.
However, hundreds of people have asked Cornwall council to revoke their participation in the event.
The pushback follows the duo’s chant of “death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)” and other remarks critical of Zionism and the conflict in the Middle East.
BBC reports that the backlash prompted nearly 300 complaints to Cornwall council, with many coming from outside the county.
Councillor Dulcie Tudor described the public reaction as “more than the most controversial planning application” ever received by the council.
In response, the council agreed to hold a licensing hearing over the complaint after the band has already performed, citing mandatory consultation timelines.
The band’s performance at Glastonbury triggered questions in UK parliament, condemnation from Keir Starmer, the prime minister, and an apology from the BBC, which admitted it should have cut the live broadcast of the performance.
According to Ed Abrahamson, who filed the initial complaint, the band has had their US tour visas revoked and several international appearances cancelled.
“Bob Vylan had been cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force,” Abrahamson said.
He also urged the council to take stronger action “or are we going to see young Cornish people exposed and encouraged to join in with murderous chants?”
However, the council stated that only Devon and Cornwall police have the authority to prevent a scheduled act from performing.
The police, in turn, emphasised that decisions about festival line-ups rest with organisers, though they will monitor safety and incidents closely.
Boardmasters organisers have said the festival “does not tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence or behaviour that puts anyone at risk”.
The organisers said they chose to move forward with the performance after weighing several factors.
“Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe,” they said.
“We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations.”
Bob Vylan defended themselves in a statement posted on their Instagram page after the Glastonbury incident.
“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,” the group said.
“We are a distraction from the story and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.”
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