Nigel Farage delivers damning 13-word verdict on Bob Vylan performance amid BBC Glastonbury controversy
Nigel Farage has publicly hit out at punk performers Bob Vylan following their controversial Glastonbury set on Saturday afternoon.
The Reform UK leader’s condemnation comes after Glastonbury Festival organisers similarly condemned the rap punk duo after singer Bobby Vylan led crowds in chanting “death, death to the IDF” during their Saturday performance on the West Holts Stage.
The festival issued a statement saying they were “appalled” by the band’s conduct, declaring: “Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they are investigating the incident. “Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation,” the force said in a social media post.
The controversial chants occurred before Irish rap trio Kneecap’s performance on the same stage.
As well as “death to the IDF” chants, Bob Vylan also caused uproar by performing a song that contained the lyrics: “I heard you want your country back? Ha! Shut the f*** up!”
Clips of the set have gone viral on social media since Bob Vylan left the stage, with GB News’ own Patrick Christys joking the performance could “be used as Reform’s campaign video released the day before the next General Election”.
In response, Farage delivered his verdict on the incident. “If you vote Reform you can have your country back from these lunatics,” the Reform UK leader penned.
Meanwhile, the BBC announced it would not make Bob Vylan’s performance available on-demand, with a spokesperson stating: “Some of the comments made during Bob Vylan’s set were deeply offensive.
“During this live stream on iPlayer, which reflected what was happening on stage, a warning was issued on screen about the very strong and discriminatory language. We have no plans to make the performance available on demand.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken directly to the BBC Director General about the incident. A Government spokesperson said: “We strongly condemn the threatening comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.
“The Culture Secretary has spoken to the BBC Director General to seek an urgent explanation about what due diligence it carried out ahead of the Bob Vylan performance, and welcomes the decision not to re-broadcast it on BBC iPlayer.”
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The festival’s Instagram statement emphasised: “As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in – and actively campaign for – hope, unity, peace and love.”
Glastonbury organisers acknowledged that with “almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer’s presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs.”
However, they stressed that Saturday’s incident had gone beyond acceptable boundaries. Festival organiser Emily Eavis shared the same statement, reinforcing the message that antisemitism, hate speech and incitement to violence have no place at the event.
Bob Vylan, formed in Ipswich in 2017, consists of Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan, who keep their real names private. The duo blends grime, punk and hard rock, winning best alternative music act at the 2022 Mobo Awards.
The band has a history of controversial performances. In 2021, the Norwich Evening News reported that Bobby allegedly berated a fan after being hit by an ice cube during a gig, with the show halted whilst he ranted.
Their confrontational style previously included Bobby wielding a baseball bat towards audiences and wearing rival football shirts in different cities. The band’s songs frequently address racism, homophobia and far-right politics, with their track ‘Pretty Songs’ often introduced by Bobby stating that “violence is the only language that some people understand.”
Bobby Vylan responded to the controversy by posting a selfie on Instagram holding ice cream, writing: “While zionists are crying on socials, I’ve just had a tub of (vegan) ice cream.”
The West Holts Stage saw further controversy when Kneecap member Naoise O Caireallain suggested fans “start a riot outside the courts” in reference to bandmate Liam Og O hAnnaidh’s upcoming terror offence trial, before clarifying: “No riots just love and support, and support for Palestine.”
O hAnnaidh faces charges for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and saying “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a November gig. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18 and was released on unconditional bail until 20 August.
During their Glastonbury set, Caireallain declared: “The Prime Minister of your country, not mine, said he didn’t want us to play, so f*** Keir Starmer.”