A major controversy has erupted following a performance by the English rap-punk duo Bob vylan. Their set at the Glastonbury Festival led to a swift and significant consequence. The United States state Department has officially revoked their visas, effectively canceling their planned US tour. This action came after the duo led the crowd in controversial chants related to the Middle East conflict.
The incident has ignited debates across continents about free speech, hate speech, and the political implications of artistic expression. Reactions have poured in from government officials, festival organizers, broadcasting companies, and advocacy groups, highlighting the sensitive nature of the events that unfolded on the Glastonbury stage.
The Glastonbury Performance That Triggered the Ban
The performance in question took place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the renowned Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, England. During their set, the duo, particularly lead singer Bobby Vylan (real name Pascal Robinson-Foster), engaged the audience in politically charged chants. The performance was reportedly livestreamed by the BBC, bringing the controversial moments to a wider audience.
Videos shared across social media platforms captured the chants. Bobby Vylan led the festival-goers in cries of “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF.” The IDF refers to the Israel Defense Forces. He was also seen saying, “From the river to the sea, Palestine must be, will be, inshallah, it will be free.” Simultaneously, a large screen behind the stage displayed messages contrasting the United Nations’ characterization of events in Gaza as “genocide” with the BBC’s reporting on the “conflict.”
Unpacking the Controversial Chants
The phrases used by Bob Vylan are deeply embedded in the ongoing debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The chant “free, free Palestine” is a widely used expression of solidarity with Palestinians. However, “death, death to the IDF” is seen by many as a direct call for violence against Israeli soldiers.
The phrase “From the river to the sea” is particularly contentious. It refers to the geographical area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. While some pro-Palestinian activists maintain it is a call for peace and equality for all people in that land, others, including many Jewish groups and individuals, interpret it as a call for the destruction of the state of Israel. Its usage significantly increased following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Critics argue that in certain contexts, particularly alongside chants like “death to the IDF,” it constitutes hate speech or incitement to violence.
US State Department’s Response and Justification
The reaction from the United States government was swift and decisive. On Monday, June 30, 2025, the State Department announced the revocation of visas for Bob Vylan and the group members. State Department Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau publicly stated the reason for the ban.
Landau cited the duo’s performance at Glastonbury, specifically calling it a “hateful tirade” that included “leading the crowd in death chants.” He was quoted as saying that “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.” The decision effectively blocks Bob Vylan from entering the United States. Landau confirmed the action was taken specifically “in light of” the chants at Glastonbury.
Immediate Impact: Tour Cancellation and More
The visa ban has immediate and significant consequences for Bob Vylan’s career plans in North America. The duo was scheduled to embark on a lengthy U.S. tour beginning on October 24, 2025, in Spokane, Washington. This tour included nearly 20 planned stops in major cities across the country.
Cities on the itinerary included Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, St. Louis, Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Nashville, Dallas, San Diego, San Antonio, and Los Angeles. With their visas revoked, these performances are effectively canceled. Reports also suggested the band may have been dropped by their talent agency following the controversy, according to information cited in The Hollywood Reporter. Representatives for the scheduled U.S. venues could not immediately be reached for comment following the announcement.
Widespread Backlash and Condemnation
The Bob Vylan performance and the subsequent U.S. visa ban have drawn condemnation and commentary from various stakeholders. Reactions ranged from festival organizers and broadcasters to police and political figures on both sides of the Atlantic.
Reactions from Festival Organizers, Broadcasters, and UK Police
Glastonbury Festival organizers released a statement expressing their disapproval. They described being “appalled” by the performance. The organizers asserted that the chants “very much crossed a line.” They emphasized that Glastonbury has “no place for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.” They also indicated they would be urgently reminding production staff of these principles.
The BBC, which broadcast the performance, also commented. They called Vylan’s expressions “utterly unacceptable.” While acknowledging it was a live situation, the BBC stated that in hindsight, they “should have pulled the stream during the performance” and regretted not doing so. This followed a prior decision by the BBC not to broadcast another group, Kneecap, who had made controversial statements about Israel, to ensure editorial guidelines were met.
In the UK, Somerset Police initiated an investigation into the incident. A detective was assigned to review videos of the performance. The goal is to determine if any hate crime statutes were broken during the set. The police department acknowledged receiving “a large amount of contact” regarding the events from people worldwide. They recognized “the strength of public feeling” and reiterated that “There is absolutely no place in society for hate.”
Political and Advocacy Group Responses
The performance and ban also sparked strong reactions from political figures and advocacy groups. The Israeli embassy in the U.K. stated they were “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric.” They raised concerns about the normalization of extremist language. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Vylan’s actions as “appalling hate speech.” He also questioned the BBC’s decision to air the performance.
In the United States, advocacy group StopAntisemitism flagged Bob Vylan’s scheduled tour. They publicly called for their visas to be denied or rescinded. The group labeled Bobby Vylan an “antisemite,” stating his “hate is not welcome here.” Republican Representative Randy Fine of Florida publicly responded, indicating he was “On it.” Leo Terrell, chairman of a Justice Department task force to combat antisemitism, called the chants “abhorrent.” He stated his task force would contact the State Department to explore measures to prevent the promotion of such rhetoric in the U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R, Texas) reposted a video of the incident on social media platform X. He characterized the chanting crowd as “Truly sick” and labeled it as representing “the base of the Democrat Party.”
Conversely, some groups criticized the U.S. government’s action as an infringement on free expression. The free speech advocacy group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) condemned the potential ban before it was official. FIRE compared the potential ban to actions taken by countries like Russia and China. They stated these nations have banned artists for expressing views contrary to official state doctrine. FIRE argued that “Nations committed to free expression should not use their borders as a tool of censorship.” They concluded that “Revoking visas from controversial musicians and artists doesn’t make our country freer or safer. But it may make it silent.” The incident also occurred amid an administration campaign targeting international students’ visas for pro-Palestinian advocacy, according to The New Republic.
The Band’s Stance: Defiance or Inspiration?
Amidst the firestorm of criticism and official action, Bobby Vylan addressed the controversy in a lengthy social media post on Sunday, the day after the Glastonbury performance. While he did not directly address the chants or the show itself, his message indicated an unapologetic stance and a broader perspective on activism.
He began by discussing his daughter. He recounted how she was reading a message aloud to her school asking for more healthy meals. She also requested “dishes inspired by other parts of the world.” Vylan used this anecdote to frame the importance of inspiring future generations. “As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us,” he wrote. He concluded this thought by stating, “Today it is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign policy.” This suggested a connection between small acts of speaking up and larger systemic change. In other comments online, he explicitly stated, “I said what I said,” indicating no regret for the words used on stage. He acknowledged receiving an influx of “both support and hatred” messages.
Broader Implications: Free Speech, Visas, and Politics
The Bob Vylan visa ban highlights the complex interplay between artistic expression, political activism, national security concerns, and international relations. While governments reserve the right to control who enters their borders, the use of visa revocation in response to political speech raises questions about censorship.
The U.S. State Department’s stance is clear: they deem the chants “hateful” and argue that those who ” glorify violence” are not welcome. This aligns with a position that views such language not merely as protected speech but as potentially harmful incitement. However, critics, like FIRE, argue that banning artists for controversial political statements sets a dangerous precedent. They contend that it mirrors authoritarian tactics used to silence dissent.
The incident also underscores the charged political climate surrounding the Middle East conflict globally. An artist’s expression on this topic, particularly using phrases interpreted differently, can quickly escalate into a major international incident with career-altering consequences. The diverse and often furious reactions from various sectors demonstrate how deeply divisive the issue remains and how little tolerance exists for language perceived as promoting violence or hatred by opposing sides. Bob Vylan is known for politically charged music addressing various social issues. This incident brings their confrontational style into direct conflict with government gatekeepers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specifically triggered the US State Department’s decision to ban Bob Vylan?
The US State Department revoked Bob Vylan’s visas due to their performance at the Glastonbury Festival on June 28, 2025. Specifically, the decision cited the duo leading the crowd in controversial chants, including “death, death to the IDF” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine must be… free.” State Department Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau characterized this as a “hateful tirade” and stated that foreigners who “glorify violence and hatred” are not welcome in the U.S.
What is the status of Bob Vylan’s planned US tour dates?
As a direct consequence of the U.S. State Department revoking their visas, Bob Vylan’s planned United States tour has been effectively canceled. The tour was scheduled to begin on October 24, 2025, and included nearly 20 stops in major cities across the country. With the band members barred from entering the U.S., they cannot fulfill these scheduled performances.
How did other organizations and figures react to Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance and the US ban?
The performance and ban elicited varied strong reactions. Glastonbury organizers called the chants “appalling” and stated they “crossed a line.” The BBC, which aired the performance, called the language “utterly unacceptable” and regretted not pulling the live stream. UK police began investigating for potential hate crime violations. US politicians like Ted Cruz and Randy Fine condemned the actions, while advocacy group StopAntisemitism called for the ban. Conversely, free speech group FIRE criticized the ban, comparing it to censorship tactics used by authoritarian regimes.
Conclusion
The case of Bob Vylan’s visa ban following their Glastonbury performance serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences when political activism intersects with the sensitivities of international politics and national entry policies. The decision by the U.S. State Department to revoke their visas underscores a clear boundary the government is willing to enforce regarding speech deemed hateful or glorifying violence.
While the band appears unapologetic, framing their actions within a broader narrative of inspiring future generations to seek change, the incident has drawn significant condemnation from various public figures and institutions. It also fuels the ongoing debate about where free artistic expression ends and harmful hate speech begins, and whether border control should be used as a tool for political censorship. The fate of their U.S. tour is sealed, but the controversy surrounding their words and the subsequent ban continues to resonate.
