Bob Vylan's concerts cancelled after he cried "Death to every single IDF soldier out there"
Bob Vylan was trying to gain fans and relevance, instead they just ended their professional career.
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The British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, known for their provocative lyrics and politically charged performances, is grappling with a cascade of professional fallout following a controversial appearance at the Glastonbury Festival on June 28, 2025. The band, consisting of frontman Bobby Vylan (real name Pascal Robinson-Foster) and drummer Bobbie Vylan, sparked outrage after leading the crowd in chants of “Death to the IDF” (Israel Defense Forces) and “Free, free Palestine” during their set on the West Holts Stage. The performance, livestreamed on BBC iPlayer, has led to canceled concerts, a severed U.S. tour, a criminal investigation, and widespread condemnation from political leaders and industry figures.
The Glastonbury Incident
During their Glastonbury set, Bobby Vylan accused “Zionists in the music industry” of censorship and referenced a former “Zionist boss,” while a banner behind the band declared, “United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict’.” The chant “Death to the IDF,” coupled with pro-Palestinian slogans, was met with both applause from some festivalgoers and immediate backlash from viewers and officials. The performance, set against the backdrop of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, was swiftly removed from BBC iPlayer, with the broadcaster issuing a rare apology for airing the “deeply offensive” and “utterly unacceptable” content, citing concerns over potential incitement to violence and antisemitism.
Concert Cancellations and Professional Repercussions
In the days following Glastonbury, Bob Vylan’s professional engagements unraveled. Their planned “Inertia Tour” across the United States, which included 16 to 19 dates in cities such as New York, Boston, Los Angeles, and Spokane starting in October 2025, was effectively canceled after the U.S. State Department revoked the band’s visas. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau confirmed the decision, stating that the group’s “hateful tirade” at Glastonbury justified the action. U.S. Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens called the performance “a disgrace,” while Republican Senator Ted Cruz condemned it as “sick” in a post on X.
Beyond the U.S., additional concerts have been canceled:
- A performance in Cologne, Germany was scrapped
- A UK concert (Radar Festival), believed to be a scheduled July 2025 show at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse, was canceled following pressure from the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region, which urged the venue to drop the band
- A Paris concert (Kave Fest) was also called off
The band’s troubles extend beyond canceled gigs. United Talent Agency (UTA), their former representatives, dropped Bob Vylan and removed their page from its website. Their management team has also severed ties, leaving the duo without professional representation.
Criminal Investigations and Political Condemnation
In the UK, Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance, alongside a similar probe into the Irish rap group Kneecap, who also made pro-Palestinian statements at the festival. Authorities are examining whether the “Death to the IDF” chants constitute a public order offense or incitement to violence. The Metropolitan Police are separately investigating remarks allegedly made by Bobby Vylan at a May 28, 2025, concert at London’s Alexandra Palace, where he called for “death to every single IDF soldier out there.”
Political leaders have been vocal in their condemnation. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the chants as “appalling hate speech,” while Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy labeled them “threatening” and demanded an explanation from BBC Director-General Tim Davie over the broadcaster’s failure to intervene during the livestream. In Israel, Minister for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli cited the incident as evidence of rising antisemitism in the UK, urging British Jews to emigrate. The Israeli embassy called for the UK to denounce the “hateful rhetoric.”
Bob Vylan’s Defiant Response
Bobby Vylan has shown no remorse for the performance. In an Instagram post, he wrote, “I said what I said,” noting that he has received both support and vitriol. He defended his right to speak out, arguing that young people should be encouraged to campaign for change. The band has not publicly addressed the concert cancellations or investigations further, leaving their future plans uncertain.
The music industry itself is grappling with the fallout. One X post indicated that a festival scheduled for tomorrow (Friday), faced pressure to remove Bob Vylan from its lineup, with the venue threatening to cancel the entire event if the band remained.
Bob Vylan’s rise to prominence was fueled by their raw, confrontational style and willingness to tackle divisive issues. Their 2022 album, *Bob Vylan Presents The Price of Life*, earned critical acclaim for its critique of systemic inequality, and their Glastonbury performance was initially praised for its energy. However, the “Death to the IDF” chants have shifted the narrative, and people are disgusted and horrified, in equal parts (even Piers Morgan).
Whether they can recover their standing in the music industry, or whether they will double down on their activism, remains to be seen. But they have shown, beyond any reasonable doubt, their true Jew-hating selves and people are starting to take notice.