London, UK – British authorities are reviewing performances at the recent Glastonbury Festival after controversial chants by musical acts Bob Vylan and Kneecap prompted widespread reaction and drew condemnation from the Israeli embassy in London.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they are examining video evidence from the performances on Saturday, June 28, 2025, to assess whether any criminal offenses occurred that would necessitate a formal investigation. The scrutiny centers on expressions made by artists during their sets at Britain’s largest summer music festival, held in Somerset and attended by approximately 200,000 people.
Police Review Initiated
The police action follows specific incidents involving the rap punk duo Bob Vylan and the Irish rap trio Kneecap. According to reports, Bobby Vylan, a member of Bob Vylan, led large crowds in chants of “death to the IDF” – referring to the Israel Defense Forces – and “free, free Palestine.” These chants occurred during their performance on the festival site.
Separately, the Irish rap trio Kneecap also attracted attention for political statements made on stage. One member of Kneecap was observed wearing a T-shirt displaying support for the Palestine Action Group. The Palestine Action Group is currently facing potential proscription under UK terror laws, a move that has generated significant debate regarding protest and direct action.
In addition to the attire, Kneecap reportedly led an expletive-laden chant specifically directed against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during their set.
The combination of these incidents prompted Avon and Somerset Police to issue a statement indicating they would “assess video evidence to determine if any offenses requiring a criminal investigation occurred.” This review is a standard procedure when potential public order or other legal breaches are reported or observed during large-scale events.
Festival Organizers and Broadcaster Respond
The controversy quickly escalated beyond the festival fields, drawing responses from multiple stakeholders.
Organizers of the Glastonbury Festival commented on Bob Vylan’s chants, stating they “very much crossed a line.” This indicates a distance being taken by the festival management from the specific content of the performance, suggesting it went beyond acceptable boundaries for the event.
The BBC, which held broadcasting rights and streamed parts of the festival live, also responded to the content. During the live stream of the performance in question, the broadcaster issued an on-screen warning to viewers about the presence of “very strong and discriminatory language.” This step was taken to alert audiences to the nature of the content being broadcast, reflecting the sensitive and potentially offensive nature of the chants.
The UK government’s culture secretary has also reportedly engaged with the BBC director general specifically regarding Bob Vylan’s performance and the broadcaster’s handling of the incident. This indicates a level of concern within the government about the content broadcast from a major cultural event.
Political and Diplomatic Reaction
The political nature of the chants, particularly those concerning the Israel Defense Forces and Palestine, drew a swift diplomatic reaction. The Israeli embassy in London issued a statement condemning the chants. Such condemnation from a foreign diplomatic mission underscores the international sensitivity surrounding the language used on stage.
The incident involving Kneecap and the reference to the Palestine Action Group, alongside a chant targeting the UK Prime Minister, further highlights the intersection of political activism and cultural platforms. The potential ban facing the Palestine Action Group adds a layer of legal and political context to the group’s mention at the festival.
Context: Glastonbury’s Stage
Glastonbury Festival, held at Worthy Farm in Somerset, is renowned globally not only as Britain’s largest music festival but also as a significant platform for artistic expression, often including political commentary. Attracting a vast audience of approximately 200,000 attendees, performances at Glastonbury frequently gain significant public attention and media coverage, amplified by broadcast partnerships like that with the BBC.
The scale and visibility of the festival mean that statements or actions taken on its stages can have a far-reaching impact, sparking debate and sometimes, as in this instance, legal and political scrutiny.
The current police review will determine whether the chants and actions during the Bob Vylan and Kneecap sets constituted breaches of UK law, which could potentially lead to criminal investigations or other legal consequences for those involved.
