Following Bob Vylan‘s controversial Glastonbury set on Saturday (June 28), the punk-rap duo was dropped by its reserving agent, UTA, Billboard U.K. can verify.
Deadline first reported that UTA executives determined over the weekend to half methods with the duo — composed of Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan — after assessing the feedback made by Bobby through the set. The band not seems on the company’s web site; Billboard U.Ok. has approached the band’s remaining representatives for additional remark.
Bobby sparked outrage through the present as he led the viewers in a chant of “demise, demise to the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces).” He additionally known as for a “free Palestine” and mentioned that “from the river to the ocean, Palestine might be free.”
The festival known as the previous chant “appalling” in a press release, with organisers saying the act had “crossed a line.” The mantra was additionally condemned by the U.Ok.’s prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, who known as it “appalling hate speech.”
The Ipswich-based duo carried out earlier than Kneecap on the West Holts stage. The latter’s set was some of the anticipated of the weekend and drew an enormous crowd; Kneecap member Mo Chara was recently charged with a terror offense following the emergence of a video during which he allegedly waved a Hezbollah flag. Hezbollah is proscribed terror standing by the U.Ok. authorities, and it’s thought-about an offense to show help for it.
In consequence, Kneecap’s set was not broadcast dwell on the BBC and its iPlayer service; Bob Vylan’s, nevertheless, was proven dwell. On Monday morning (June 30), the BBC expressed “regret” at airing the set in full, and it has since been faraway from the streaming service.
“The crew had been coping with a dwell scenario however with hindsight we should always have pulled the stream through the efficiency. We remorse this didn’t occur,” a spokesperson mentioned. “The BBC respects freedom of expression however stands firmly in opposition to incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan had been totally unacceptable and haven’t any place on our airwaves.”
British regulator Ofcom is in contact with the BBC concerning the broadcast. “We’re very involved concerning the dwell stream of this efficiency, and the BBC clearly has inquiries to reply. We’ve got been talking to the BBC over the weekend and we’re acquiring additional info as a matter of urgency, together with what procedures had been in place to make sure compliance with its personal editorial tips.”
Avon and Somerset Police have mentioned that they are going to be investigating the efficiency to see if any offenses have been dedicated.
Posting on Instagram on Sunday night (June 29), Bobby informed his followers that he had been “inundated” with a combination of “help and hatred” since showing at Glastonbury, however that he stood by what he mentioned and is asking for “a change in overseas coverage.”
Glastonbury Pageant concluded on Sunday with a headline set from Olivia Rodrigo, with Charli xcx, Doechii, The 1975 and Neil Younger additionally performing over the weekend. The competition is because of take a fallow 12 months in 2026 and can return in 2027.