It’s not uncommon for musicians, particularly punk bands, to make waves with their political stances.
Icons like The Sex Pistols, The Clash, and Rage Against The Machine have long stirred controversy, and now in 2025, it’s Kneecap and Bob Vylan who are challenging the status quo.
However, the comments made by Bob Vylan during their Glastonbury performance have drawn fire not only from MPs but also from festival organizer Emily Eavis, who deemed them to have “definitely crossed a line.”
Authorities are looking into footage from the performance, which the BBC has since taken down, to determine if any laws were violated.
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Who are Bob Vylan?
Comprised of frontman Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan, the duo has kept their real names private for personal reasons.
They originated in Ipswich in 2017, blending punk, rap, and hard rock in their music.
Their discography includes three albums: We Live Here (2020), Bob Vylan Presents The Price Of Life (2022), and Humble As The Sun (2023). Their work has garnered awards, including Best Alternative Act at the 2022 MOBOs and Best Album at the Kerrang Awards.
Their lyrics tackle subjects such as racism, homophobia, toxic masculinity, and far-right politics. Notably, the track Pretty Songs begins with Bobby asserting that “violence is the only language that some people understand.”
The live shows frequently feature crowd-surfing, and they have collaborated with artists like Amy Taylor of Amyl And The Sniffers, Laurie Vincent from Soft Play, and the rock band Kid Kapichi.
In a Guardian interview last year, Bobby revealed he first attended a pro-Palestine protest at age 15, accompanied by a friend’s mother.
The duo has been vocal regarding the Gaza conflict, criticizing fellow left-leaning artists for their perceived lack of public support.
The Glastonbury Performance
Leading up to their festival appearance, the pair informed fans via Facebook: “Looks like we finally made it to a point where the BBC trusts us for live TV! Catch us live, whether in the field or from home!”
Their performance included a backdrop with various statements, one alleging that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute “genocide.”
As discussions about their set intensified, they seemingly doubled down on their statements shared online.
Their remarks received backlash from the Israeli embassy, various MPs, and now from Glastonbury organizers and Emily Eavis.
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Festival Performers Challenge Political Censorship
Bob Vylan took the stage before Kneecap, who remained on the bill despite calls for their removal.
Before the event, festival founder Michael Eavis remarked that those unhappy with the political content could “choose to go elsewhere.”
However, Bob Vylan’s comments crossed a line, as stated by both the festival and Emily Eavis the following morning.
“Our festival opposes all forms of war and terrorism,” the statement read. “We continue to advocate for hope, unity, peace, and love.”
With nearly 4,000 performances throughout the weekend, there will undoubtedly be artists whose views do not align with ours. The presence of any performer should never be interpreted as an automatic endorsement of their views,” they added.
Nonetheless, they condemned Bob Vylan’s statements as “appalling.”
“Their remarks definitely crossed a line, and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the festival’s production that there is no room at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence.”