Both Bob Vylan and Kneecap have made headlines for their fiery sets at Glastonbury music festival in the UK.
The BBC made the decision not to broadcast Kneecap’s performance live, on the expectation that they might use what the BBC would define as either harmful, offensive or inflammatory language.
Instead, they broadcast Bob Vylan, who chanted “death, death, death to the IDF” during his performance, in reference to the Israeli Defence Forces.
Bob Vylan performing during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Photo: Matt Crossick/Empics/Alamy Live News. 28 June 2025.The Israeli embassy in the UK has since released a statement saying they are deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful language expressed at the festival.
Meanwhile, Kneecap also made a number of strong political statements in support of Palestine and chanted “f*ck Keir Starmer” during their set.
Fiachna O’Braonain from The Hothouse Flowers attended the festival, and joined The Anton Savage Show to describe the atmosphere.
“It was quite historic really, it is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in Glastonbury,” he said.
“I’ve been going to Glastonbury since 1989 and I’ve seen many bands over the years creating many incredible performances.
“But the West Holts stage where [Kneecap] were appearing at four o’clock yesterday afternoon was absolutely rammed full of people by three o’clock - people did not want to miss Kneecap.”
Kneecap play the west holts stage in front of a sea of Irish and Palestine flags. Saturday at The 2025 Glastonbury Festival, Worthy Farm. Glastonbury, Credit: Guy Bell/Alamy Live NewsMr O’Braonain said it is “ironic” that the British media have been so offended by both Kneecap and Bob Vylan’s performances.
“I think in both Bob Vylan’s case and Kneecap’s case, I think the plight of the Palestinian people has been something that has been on their minds and in their world since way before October 7th,” he said.
“It’s ironic to that the British media are finding it offensive and unacceptable to say ‘death to a military’, to armed combatants.
"Who themselves are live streaming their mocking, their derision and their utter disrespect to the Palestinian people while committing a genocide in full view of the world.”
Main image: Kneecap performing on the West Holts Stage during the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset. Picture: PA Images / Alamy. Saturday June 28, 2025.
