BBC admits they regret streaming Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set
The broadcaster has said the group's comments were 'antisemitic' and 'utterly unacceptable'.
During their set on the West Holts stage on Saturday (June 28), rapper Bobby Vylan led a crowd to chant 'free, free Palestine' and 'death, death to the IDF'.
The BBC said that in 'hindsight' they should have pulled the stream of the live performance, which remained on the platform for more than five hours.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) June 30, 2025
The BBC said in a statement: 'Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC's output, but one performance within our live streams included deeply offensive comments.
'The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.
'The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. We welcome Glastonbury's condemnation of the performance.
'The performance was part of a live stream of the West Holts stage on BBC iPlayer.
"The judgement on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines.
'In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand.
'The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.
'In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air.'
Recommended Reading:
Following the performance, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticised the chants as 'appalling hate speech'.
In the same statement, the prime minister repeated his previous argument that the Belfast rap group Kneecap should have been removed from the line-up after one member was charged with a terrorism offence.
"I said that Kneecap should not be given a platform and that goes for any other performers making threats or inciting violence.
"The BBC needs to explain how these scenes came to be broadcast."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
18 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Rap duo Bob Vylan banned from US ahead of planned autumn shows
Mr Landau announced the decision to revoke the pair's US visas after one half of the duo, rapper Bobby Vylan chanted 'death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)' at the festival. The BBC has since expressed its regret at not pulling the live stream of the act's performance during Glastonbury on Saturday, saying the 'antisemitic sentiments' expressed by the group were 'utterly unacceptable'. Bob Vylan played at Coachella in Calfornia earlier this year but will be unable to return to the US when 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.
South Wales Argus
18 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
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.'
Reuters
22 minutes ago
- Reuters
US revokes visas for Bob Vylan after music duo's Glastonbury chants
WASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) - The United States has revoked visas for members of Britain's Bob Vylan punk-rap duo after they led chants during their set at the Glastonbury music festival in England over the weekend that the State Department and the BBC, who broadcast the event, said were antisemitic. "The @StateDept has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants. Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country," U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a post on X on Monday. On Monday, the British broadcaster said it regretted not stopping its livestream of Saturday's event, which included on-stage chants of "death, death to the IDF," a reference to the Israel Defense Forces fighting a war in Gaza, and "From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free." That phrase is often taken in Israel as a call for Israel's destruction and denial of its right to exist, although many Palestinians dispute that characterization. Bob Vylan, known for mixing grime and punk rock, tackles a range of issues including racism, homophobia and the class divide in their songs and has previously voiced support for Palestinians. Its lead vocalist, who goes by the stage name Bobby Vylan, appeared to refer to the weekend performance in a post on Instagram, writing: "I said what I 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," he added. The State Department did not immediately give more details as to the names of those who had visas revoked and what kind of visas they were. Bob Vylan is scheduled to play some concerts in the U.S. in November.
