
Acts who made political statements at Glastonbury 2025
The BBC has since expressed regret at not pulling its live-stream of the duo's performance at the West Holts stage on Saturday, saying the 'antisemitic sentiments' expressed by the group were 'utterly unacceptable'.
Since Glastonbury was founded more than 50 years ago, many artists have used their platform at the ever-growing event to make political statements.
Here are some of the acts who shared their views with audiences at this year's festival at Worthy Farm:
– Kneecap
The Irish rap group led Glastonbury crowds in chants of 'f*** Keir Starmer' during their set at the festival on Saturday.
The group, who hail from Belfast, have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence.
JJ O'Dochartaigh performing during Kneecap's set on the West Holts Stage (Yui Mok/PA)
Member Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, said during their set: 'The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn't want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.'
He also said a 'big thank you to the Eavis family', adding the festival organisers 'stood strong' amid calls for Kneecap to be dropped from the line-up.
The band also led crowds in chants of 'Free Palestine', with O hAnnaidh commenting on the sheer number of flags at the festival.
The 27-year-old wore a keffiyeh during the set, while member JJ O Dochartaigh, who performs under the name DJ Provai, wore his signature tri-coloured balaclava and a T-shirt reading: 'We are all Palestine Action' in reference to the soon-to-be banned campaign group.
Sir Rod Stewart paid tribute to Ukraine during his set (Yui Mok/PA)
– Sir Rod Stewart
Sir Rod Stewart filled the tea-time legends slot on Sunday, where he performed alongside his former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Scottish singer Lulu.
The 80-year-old singer, who called on Britain to 'give Nigel Farage a chance' in an interview with the Times on Saturday, dedicated a song to Ukraine while its war with Russia rages on.
Ukrainian flags were shown on a screen behind Sir Rod, who said: 'There's been a lot about the Middle East recently, quite rightly so, but I want to draw your attention to Ukraine in the next song, it's called the Love Train.'
The lyrics allude to a call for peace, as Sir Rod sang: 'People all over the world, join hands. Start the love train. The first stop that we make will be in England. Tell all the folks in Russia and China too. Don't you know that it's time to get on board?'
– Jade
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall took to the Woodsies stage on Saturday and got fans to join in during her perfomance of her record FUFN (F*** You For Now).
'I'm sure there are so many people who would love to say f*** you, so I want you all to put your middle fingers up in the air,' she told crowds.
Jade made her political views known during her set (Ian West/PA)
She encouraged her audience to join her in a call and response, where she said things she dislikes and they responded 'f*** you', including a jibe at Mr Farage's Reform UK party.
'Like low battery, smelly toilets, Reform, welfare cuts, transphobia, silencing protests, selling arms, justifying genocide,' Jade called out.
– Black Country, New Road
The indie-folk band played the Woodsies stage on Sunday, with vocalist and bassist Tyler Hyde taking centre stage wearing a Palestine flag T-shirt.
The six-piece from Cambridge also had a flag draped over their keyboard, and during their set Hyde said 'Free Palestine' and led the audience in chants of 'Free, free Palestine'.
– Wolf Alice
Later on Sunday, singer Ellie Rowsell told the crowd watching the Mercury-winning indie band at the Other Stage: 'Whilst we have the stage for just a little bit longer, we want to express our solidarity with the people of Palestine.
'No one should ever be afraid to do that.
'We love you all, and we will see you out on the field.'
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Glasgow Times
4 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
Criminal investigation into Kneecap and Bob Vylan performances at Glastonbury
Avon and Somerset Police said officers had reviewed video footage and audio recordings from the sets at the Somerset festival on Saturday. The force said a criminal investigation is under way with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation. Kneecap performing on the West Holts Stage (Ben Birchall/PA) During Bob Vylan's performance, rapper Bobby Vylan chanted 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)', while a member of Belfast rap group Kneecap suggested fans 'start a riot' outside his bandmate's upcoming court appearance. A police spokesman said: 'This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage. 'The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes. 'We have received a large amount of contact in relation to these events from people across the world and recognise the strength of public feeling. 'There is absolutely no place in society for hate.' The force said neighbourhood policing teams were speaking with people in their local communities and key stakeholders, which it hoped would reassure the public 'how seriously we are treating Saturday's events'. Please see the statement below with an update on our investigation into comments made on stage at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday. An accessible version of the statement can be found on our website: — Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) June 30, 2025 It asked members of the public to stop reporting the matter because an investigation is already taking place. The BBC has expressed its regret at not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's performance, saying the 'antisemitic sentiments' expressed were 'utterly unacceptable'. Christopher Landau, the US deputy secretary of state, said the band had been banned from the US ahead of a tour later this year due to their 'hateful tirade at Glastonbury'. Bob Vylan played at Coachella in California earlier this year but will be unable to return to the US. They were set to perform in Chicago, Brooklyn and Philadelphia in the autumn. The duo, formed in Ipswich in 2017, have released four albums addressing issues to do with racism, masculinity and class. Bobby Vylan's real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, according to reports. In a statement posted to Instagram after the Glastonbury set, Vylan said: 'Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place. 'As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.' They are due to perform at Radar Festival in Manchester on Saturday and Boardmasters, a surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, in August. Kneecap have been in the headlines after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence. In reference to his bandmate's upcoming court date, Naoise O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, told Glastonbury they would 'start a riot outside the courts', before clarifying: 'No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine.'


Daily Mail
11 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Arlene Phillips reflects her 'tough' axe from Strictly amid ageism row as she weighs in on show's bullying scandal and her own 'strict' teaching style
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The National
14 minutes ago
- The National
Ed Miliband accused of ‘hypocrisy' over State Oil refinery support
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