What Bob Vylan said at Glastonbury that led to BBC Backlash and UTA dropping them
The BBC has issued an official statement following intense public criticism surrounding its broadcast of Bob Vylan's controversial Glastonbury 2025 performance. The punk-rap duo, known for their politically charged lyrics, led chants including "Death to the IDF," "Free, free Palestine," and "From the river to the sea, Palestine must be free" during their set on the West Holts stage on Saturday afternoon.
BBC regrets airing Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set over antisemitic chants; UTA drops the duo amid mounting controversy and public backlash.
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The BBC acknowledged on Monday that it "should have pulled" the livestream during the act, stating that the broadcast was a live situation but “with hindsight, we should have pulled the stream during the performance.” The statement went on to affirm the broadcaster’s stance against incitement to violence and antisemitism: “The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.”
The incident has sparked wider industry ramifications. United Talent Agency (UTA), which had previously represented Bob Vylan, has dropped the duo, according to sources confirmed by Variety. The band’s profile has since been removed from the agency’s website. Deadline was the first to report UTA’s disassociation.
This development follows the BBC’s earlier decision not to air Irish rap group Kneecap’s set, after one of its members, Mo Chara, was recently charged under the U.K.’s Terrorism Act. Bob Vylan’s set, however, aired live despite their incendiary political remarks, prompting criticism of the BBC’s editorial standards and inconsistencies in handling politically sensitive performances.
Glastonbury organizers issued a separate statement on Sunday expressing their disapproval: “We are appalled by the statements made by Bob Vylan. 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.”
In response, lead vocalist Bobby Vylan shared a defiant message on Instagram, stating: “I said what I said,” and emphasizing the importance of using public platforms to inspire activism: “Let them see us marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organizing online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered.”
