Bob Vylan reacts after Glastonbury performance is probed by police alongside Kneecap

Bob Vylan frontman Bobby Vylan has responded to a police probe from his performance at Glastonbury this weekend.

Officers are reviewing footage from the hip hop punk band’s performance along with that of Irish trio Kneecap to determine whether offences have been committed.

Bobby Vylan (who fronts the band, with Bobbie Vylan on drums) is claimed to have whipped crowds at the festival’s West Holts Stage into a frenzy with chants of ‘free, free Palestine,’ as members of Kneecap joked that fans ‘start a riot,’ in reference to rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaid’s recent court case.

A post by Avon and Somerset police on social media said: ‘We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon.

Follow the latest Glastonbury 2025 updates with our live coverage

‘Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.’

Reacting to the furore, Vylan took to social media, where he posted a selfie of himself holding a tub of ice cream.

‘While zionists are crying on socials, I’ve just had a tub of (vegan) ice cream,’ he shared in an Instagram Story.

What is the Bob Vylan controversy after Glastonbury?

As per the footage, Vylan led the attendees in chants of ‘Free, free Palestine,’ and ‘death to the IDF.’

He also declared: ‘from the river to the sea Palestine… will be free.’

The IDF are the Israeli Defence Force, the national military of Israel.

As well as the police confirming they are looking into the performance, it’s reported Lisa Nandy, the Culture Secretary, has slammed the BBC’s decision to broadcast the set live.

A spokesman for Ms Nandy said: ‘We strongly condemn the threatening comments made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury.’

A spokesperson for the BBC said: ‘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.’

What did Kneecap say at Glastonbury?

As well as Bob Vylan’s comments, Kneecap have caused a stir with their set.

A member of the Irish trio was heard to suggest that viewers ‘start a riot,’ in reference to charges of terrorism levelled at Liam Óg (stage name Mo Chara) for allegedly displaying the flag of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig last year – charges which he has denied.

Bandmate Naoise Ó Cairealláin said at the festival: ‘It’s not the first time there has been a miscarriage of justice for an Irish person in the British justice system.

‘So, if anyone is available on 20th August at Westminster we will go to support Mo Chara, we will start a riot outside the courts.’

Lest anyone get the wrong idea, he then clarified a few moments later: ‘I want to make a disclaimer. When we go support Mo Chara at the court case, I don’t want anybody to start a riot. No riots, just love and support and more orderly support and support for Palestine.’

Glastonbury Festival has said that it is ‘appalled’ by Vylan’s comments.

A post to the festival’s Instagram page read: ‘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.

‘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, we are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday. 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.’

During an appearance on Sky News in the aftermath, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting said: ‘I thought it was appalling, to be honest.’

He added: ‘I think the BBC and Glastonbury have got questions to answer about how we saw such a spectacle on our screens.

‘But I also think it’s a pretty shameless publicity stunt, which I don’t really want to give too much indulgence to.

Streeting agreed with the Israeli Embassy over concerns about the ‘normalisation’ of ‘extremist language’ but had his own words of warning.

He continued: ‘I’d also say to the Israeli embassy, get your own house in order, in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank.

‘We all condemned and continue to condemn what happened on October the 7th. We all want to see the return of the hostages. And there’s no justification for inciting violence against Israelis.

‘But you know, the way in which Israel’s conducting this war has made it extremely difficult for Israel’s allies around the world to stand by and justify. In fact, we’ve got to do the opposite as an international community, which is to challenge and urge a change, of course.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.