The BBC intentionally chose not to livestream Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury 2025 in light of the controversies surrounding the band’s strong pro-Palestine demonstrations — but if the broadcaster hoped skipping Kneecap’s set would sidestep any Palestine-related backlash, Bob Vylan quickly put that idea to rest.
During the punk duo’s performance on the West Holts Stage directly before Kneecap on Saturday, frontman Bobby Vylan led chants of “Free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF” to a seemingly enthusiastic crowd, with several Palestinian flags flying. Afterward, he said, “Hell yeah, from the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free.”
At another point, the duo displayed a message on the screen behind them that read, “Free Palestine. United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict.’”
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Bob Vylan is based out of London, and released their most recent studio album, Humble as the Sun, in April 2024. Up next, they’ll hit the road for a US tour in support of Grandson in October, performing in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, and more cities.
As for Kneecap, the Irish trio’s Glastonbury set was just as defiant and provocative, featuring chants of “Fuck Keir Starmer” and “Free Palestine.”
The UK’s Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, has already condemned both Bob Vylan’s and Kneecap’s performances at Glastonbury, and has reportedly received assurances that Bob Vylan’s set won’t be available for rebroadcast on the BBC’s iPlayer. Meanwhile, in a social media post, Avon and Somerset Police said, “Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed [by either Bob Vylan and/or Kneecap] that would require a criminal investigation.”
The BBC really thought they had it all covered by not live streaming Kneecaps set 😂
Then comes along Bob Vylan 🎤 #Glastonbury2025
— The Rock Revival (@TheRockRevival_) June 28, 2025
The BBC: try to ban Kneecap and when that fails refuse to air the set.
Bob Vylan:
Top set so far 🫡#Glastonbury #bobvylan pic.twitter.com/2M6ZQdg2nF
— Matt Price (@Matt_Price_1971) June 28, 2025
Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.
“I heard you want your country back, shut the fuck up”. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/oNbOPM6D03
— Wokerati Marty (@David75234833) June 28, 2025
