Festival disavows chants by rap duo

GLASTONBURY Festival said chants by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan “crossed a line” as footage from their set is assessed by the police.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

The performer Bobby Vylan led crowds on the festival’s West Holts Stage in chants of “Death, death to the IDF” on Saturday, before a member of Irish rap trio Kneecap suggested fans “start a riot” at his bandmate’s forthcoming court appearance.

A joint Instagram post from Glastonbury and Emily Eavis said: “As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in - and actively campaign for - hope, unity, peace and love.

“With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer's presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs. However, we are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday.

“Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”