Bob Vylan’s U.S. Tour Canceled After Controversial Glastonbury Performance

Punk-rap duo Bob Vylan has made headlines following their controversial performance at the Glastonbury Festival in the U.K. Their chant of “Death, Death to the IDF” while leading the crowd has led to significant repercussions, including the cancellation of their upcoming U.S. tour after the U.S. State Department revoked their visas.

Controversial Performance Sparks Outrage

During their performance at this prominent festival, which aired live on the BBC, Bob Vylan’s lead singer, Bobby Vylan, made headlines for leading the audience in chants such as “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF,” directly referring to the Israeli Defense Forces. The backlash was immediate and intense.

• Bobby Vylan also ended their set with the chant “f— Keir Starmer,” the British Prime Minister, further fueling the fire of controversy.

U.S. Visa Revocation

Confirming the visa revocation, Christopher Landeau, Deputy Secretary of State, stated:

“Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”

This action reflects heightened sensitivities surrounding incitement to violence, particularly in the current global climate.

Possible Ban in Canada

The repercussions of Bob Vylan’s actions may extend beyond the U.S. A Canadian parliament member, Anthony Housefather, has urged the Ministry of Public Safety to bar Bobby Vylan from entering Canada for scheduled tour dates. He remarked:

“This man’s message should not be welcome anywhere in North America.”

Housefather described the performance as “plain incitement” and expressed concern about the implications of such rhetoric, which he believes undermines public safety.

Industry Fallout

In addition to the visa issues, the duo faced further industry backlash. The United Talent Agency (UTA) dropped Bob Vylan following the Glastonbury incident. Insider reports indicated that UTA officials echoed the sentiments of festival organizers, believing that Bobby Vylan had surpassed acceptable boundaries with his comments. As a result, the band has already been removed from the UTA website, marking a significant professional setback.

Reactions from Officials

Following the performance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his disapproval. Previously, he had also called for the cancellation of another band’s performance at Glastonbury after similar anti-Israel sentiments were displayed. He stated:

“There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.”

BBC’s Response

The BBC, which live-streamed the event, issued a statement regarding the offensive comments made during the performance. They confirmed:

“The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.”

Due to the controversy, the BBC has decided against making the performance available for replay on iPlayer, emphasizing their commitment to countering incitement to violence and hate speech.

Bob Vylan’s Social Media Reaction

Following the intense backlash, Bobby Vylan’s initial response on social media was perceived as glib and dismissive. He posted:

“While zionists are crying on socials, I’ve just had late night (vegan) ice cream.”

In a subsequent message, he appeared to relish his newfound notoriety, stating:

“I said what I said.”

While affirming his stance, he reflected on his role as a parent, suggesting that teaching children to speak up for what they believe in is crucial for societal change.

Conclusion

The fallout from Bob Vylan’s incendiary performance at Glastonbury raises critical discussions about free speech and the responsibilities that come with it, particularly for artists in the public eye. As investigations and reactions continue, it remains to be seen how these developments will shape the band’s future and the broader discourse on protest in music.

For further details and updates on this developing story, consider exploring sources from BBC, The New York Sun, and other credible news outlets.