Bob Vylan, Kneecap’s Glastonbury’s performance survey
British police have launched a criminal investigation into the performance of Bob Billan and Irish rap band Kneecap at the Glastonbury Music Festival.
- The State Department revoked the visa for British punk rap duo Bobbiran after leading a chant that was deemed anti-Semitic at the Glastonbury Music Festival.
- Bob Bilan’s US tour, scheduled to begin in October, has been effectively cancelled.
- The band’s frontman defended his actions on social media, highlighting the importance of speaking for change.
The State Department has revoked visas for members of the British Bob Bilanpunkrap duo after leading the chant on the set at the Glastonbury Music Festival in England over the weekend. The US government and the BBC, which aired the event, said the language was anti-Semitic.
“In light of the hatred-filled tilade in Glastonbury, including leading the crowd to a chant of death… Foreigners who praise violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” State Department Deputy Chief Christopher Landau posted on social media on June 30.
The BBC admitted that while the set was streaming online, it issued an on-screen warning due to the powerful language, but should have gone further. During Bob Bilan’s set, he led the audience with chants such as “Death, Death, IDF” and mentioned the Israeli Defence Forces fighting the war in Gaza.
Law enforcement is investigating “comments made on stage” on public order crimes that could include hate crimes. After reviewing the video footage and audio from the performance, Avon and Somerset Regional Police told Reuters.
Bob Bilan, known for his grime-punk rock mixing, has previously expressed his support for Palestinians, addressing a variety of issues, including racism, homophobia and class division.
Their lead vocalist who goes by stage name Bobby Bilan appears to be referring to the weekend performance in an Instagram post, writing, “I said what I said.”
“Teaching children to speak for the changes they want and the changes they need is the only way we can make this world a better place,” he added.
Bob Billan is scheduled to begin his US tour in Spokane, Washington on October 24th, with gigs in Philadelphia, Philadelphia and Philadelphia, including Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Atlas, Atlas, Dallas, San Diego, San Antonio, San Antonio and San Diego.
Reuters contributed to reporting this story.
