Controversial rap duo will play at Cornwall festival

CONTROVERSIAL punk-rap duo Bob Vylan will play at this summer's Boardmasters festival in Cornwall despite calls for the performers to be banned.

- LEE TREWHELA Local Democracy Reporter

The festival has said their planned slot on the main stage will go ahead, but organisers face a licensing hearing due to the decision.

The band were hit by a backlash after their controversial chanting of “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]” during a BBC televised appearance at the Glastonbury festival last month. It led to the cancellation of other festival appearances in this country and having their US visas revoked, scuppering an American tour.

Boardmasters, at Watergate Bay, remains the only UK festival Bob Vylan will play this summer, despite requests from some members of the public for them to be dropped.

Cornwall Council has received a licensing review application concerning the festival due to the duo’s appearance. Any hearing will take place after this year’s event, which takes place on August 6 to 10.