Police investigate Bob Vylan over ‘death to IDF' call at gig before Glastonbury
The pair are already being investigated by Avon and Somerset Police over their appearance at Worthy Farm when rapper Bobby Vylan led crowds in chants of 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' during their livestreamed performance at the Somerset music festival last weekend.
In video footage, Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, appears to be at Alexandra Palace telling crowds: 'Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF.'
The pair had supported Iggy Pop at the London venue on his tour on May 28, a month before Glastonbury.
A Met Police spokesperson said on Wednesday: 'Officers are investigating comments allegedly made during a concert at Alexandra Palace earlier this year.
'The decision to investigate follows the emergence of footage which appears to have been filmed at the venue on 28 May 2025.'
It is not clear when the investigation was launched.
The probe comes after it was revealed Bob Vylan will no longer play Radar festival in Manchester
The duo were due to headline the Saturday slot but no longer appear in the line-up.
A statement posted on Radar festival's Instagram account said: 'Bob Vylan will not be appearing at Radar festival this weekend.'
It has since updated its website, changing the Saturday slot to 'Headliner TBA' (to be announced).
In response, the group shared the festival's statement on their Instagram story, adding the caption: 'Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester we will be back.'
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Bob Vylan (@bobbyvylan)
The rap group had issued a statement on Tuesday claiming they were being 'targeted for speaking up' after Avon and Somerset police began its investigation.
The BBC has also faced criticism for livestreaming the set and has since apologised, describing the chants as 'antisemitic sentiments' that were 'unacceptable'.
It later emerged BBC director-general Tim Davie was at Glastonbury while the performance was being livestreamed.
A BBC spokesperson said: 'The director-general was informed of the incident after the performance and at that point he was clear it should not feature in any other Glastonbury coverage.'
On Monday, the group were banned from entering the US, ahead of their tour, with deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau revoking the duo's visas for their 'hateful tirade at Glastonbury'.
They have also been pulled from their upcoming performance at a German music venue.
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