At the 2025 Glastonbury Festival, politically charged performances by Bob Vylan and Kneecap sparked major backlash and a police criminal investigation. Both acts voiced strong pro-Palestinian messages during their sets, with Bob Vylan chanting “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF” — directly referencing the Israeli Defense Forces. Kneecap also criticized UK political leadership while expressing solidarity with Palestine.
The BBC’s live broadcast of Bob Vylan’s performance drew criticism, as did UK government officials who condemned the statements. The Israeli Embassy in the UK issued concerns over the rhetoric, while British police launched a criminal review to assess if laws were broken. The U.S. revoked visas for the bands, citing promotion of violence and hate speech.
Amid this, broader discussions have intensified about media focus, freedom of expression, and the duty of artists to engage with global political conflict — especially during a time when a recent Israeli air strike on a Gaza seafront cafe killed at least 20 Palestinians, generating international humanitarian outrage.
Reddit’s r/glastonbury_festival community captured this tension with a viral meme contrasting the police investigation into musicians with the grave violence unfolding in Gaza. Commenters called out media and governmental priorities, accusing authorities of suppressing protest voices and dissent against Israeli policies.
Artists like Amyl & The Sniffers have stepped in to defend musicians’ political expression, urging critics to redirect focus toward policymakers and journalists rather than performers.
This controversy highlights Glastonbury 2025 as one of the most politically charged festival moments in recent memory — a flashpoint sparking debate over justice, activism, and the limits of artistic freedom amid global discord.
For full background and ongoing updates:
- Dazed Digital on Glastonbury’s political year
- Boston Globe coverage on UK police and political reactions
- AP News on US visa revocations
- NME defending musicians’ political expression
Source: r/glastonbury_festival