By Emeka Blast 
Bob Vylan Faces US Ban After IDF Chant at Glastonbury
British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan have been banned from entering the United States and face a UK criminal investigation following their controversial performance at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, June 28, 2025, where frontman Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chanting “Death, death to the IDF” (Israel Defense Forces). The provocative remarks, broadcast live on the BBC’s iPlayer from the West Holts Stage, prompted swift backlash, including the revocation of the band’s U.S. visas and their dismissal by United Talent Agency (UTA).
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced the visa revocation on X, stating, “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.” The decision cancels Bob Vylan’s planned 20-city U.S. tour, set to begin October 24 in Spokane, Washington, and end November 19 in Los Angeles. The band, known for their politically charged lyrics addressing racism, inequality, and toxic masculinity, had performed at Coachella earlier this year but now faces exclusion from the U.S. market due to what Landau called a “hateful tirade.”
The performance, which also included chants of “Free, free Palestine” and a screen message claiming Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute “genocide,” drew condemnation from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it “appalling hate speech.” Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis expressed dismay, stating, “Their chants very much crossed a line. There is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence.” The Israeli Embassy in the UK called the rhetoric “inflammatory” and warned it risks “normalizing extremist language.”
Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into Bob Vylan’s set, alongside that of Irish rap trio Kneecap, who performed afterward and also voiced pro-Palestinian sentiments. The police are reviewing footage for potential public order or hate crime offenses. The BBC, criticized for airing the performance, issued an apology, admitting it “should have pulled the stream” rather than displaying an on-screen warning about “strong and discriminatory language.” Ofcom, the UK’s broadcasting regulator, is probing the BBC’s editorial processes, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy demanding answers from director-general Tim Davie.
Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, remained defiant, posting on Instagram, “I said what I said,” alongside a statement about inspiring future generations to advocate for change. He described himself as a “violent punk” on stage, adding, “Sometimes we have to get our message across with violence because that’s the only language some people speak.” The duo, formed in Ipswich in 2017, was dropped by UTA, with their profile removed from the agency’s website, intensifying the professional fallout.
The controversy has sparked debate over free speech and the boundaries of political expression in music. UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the chants but urged Israel to address settler violence in the West Bank, while shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for Bobby Vylan’s prosecution, comparing the incident to a 2024 case where a social media post led to a 31-month sentence for inciting racial hatred. Social media reactions on X ranged from support for the band’s stance to outrage, with one user calling it a “FAFO [find out] moment” for Bob Vylan.
As Glastonbury concluded with performances by Olivia Rodrigo and Neil Young, the incident has cast a shadow over the festival’s ethos of “hope, unity, peace and love.” Bob Vylan’s actions have also drawn parallels to the controversy surrounding Kneecap, whose member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh faces a terrorism charge for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag. The ongoing police investigation and international repercussions highlight the escalating consequences of the band’s performance, with no immediate comment from Bob Vylan on the visa ban or criminal probe.
