Who is Bob Vylan and what’s the controversy about?

British rap-punk duo Bob Vylan has sparked major controversy after their performance at Glastonbury Festival 2025. The band made headlines when lead singer Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chanting “death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)”, which caused outrage across the UK.

What Happened at Glastonbury?

During their set on the West Holts stage, Bobby Vylan made strong political comments. His chant led to widespread backlash, with many calling it hate speech. The UK Prime Minister condemned the act, and Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation.

The BBC, which was broadcasting the event live, admitted it should have cut away from the performance. The UK’s media regulator Ofcom said it was “very concerned” and demanded answers from the BBC.

Who Are Bob Vylan?

Bob Vylan is made up of two members: Bobby Vylan (real name Pascal Robinson-Foster) and drummer Bobbie Vylan. They formed in 2017 and mix punk, grime, hip-hop, and reggae. Their music focuses on issues like racism, police violence, and inequality.

Their debut album We Live Here came out in 2020. Their second album Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life reached #18 on the UK charts and won awards like the MOBO Award for Best Alternative Act.

Aftermath of the Performance

After the incident, Bobby Vylan posted on Instagram, saying: “I said what I said,” and called for change in foreign policy. The band received both support and criticism online.

Their planned U.S. tour has now been canceled after the U.S. government revoked their visas, following a similar ban on another political group, Kneecap.

Drummer Bobbie Vylan also posted online, defending their message and saying: “Calling for an end to the slaughter of innocents is never wrong.”

The situation has sparked national debate on freedom of speech, political expression, and the role of music in activism.

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