Bob Vylan, an acclaimed punk rap duo, was abruptly removed from a Manchester music festival lineup, reigniting debate over the limits of artistic freedom and political expression in the music world.
At a Glance
- Bob Vylan’s performance was canceled from the Manchester festival after the Glastonbury controversy.
- The duo is under police investigation for leading controversial chants at Glastonbury.
- Accusations of antisemitism arise, drawing criticism from government and religious leaders.
- Bob Vylan maintains they oppose the IDF’s actions, not any particular group.
Bob Vylan Dropped from Radar Festival in Manchester
The music world is buzzing following the news that Bob Vylan will not be appearing at this weekend’s Radar festival in Manchester. This sudden exclusion follows their controversial set at Glastonbury, leading to even more heated discussions on what constitutes acceptable artistic expression. The festival, attended by thousands, usually prides itself on diverse lineups and securing renowned acts, making the decision to remove Bob Vylan particularly striking.
As well as being denied an Australian entry visa, Punk duo Bob Vylan have been dropped by their agent UTA, been removed from the line-up of a music festival in Manchester and had their US visa revoked, resulting in the cancellation of their upcoming US tour. Vylan's planned… pic.twitter.com/cUlR88EXxy
— Jewish News Syndicate (@JNS_org) July 2, 2025
In the wake of their performance at Glastonbury, Bob Vylan’s chant “death, death to the IDF” has been harshly criticized as antisemitic by various officials, including the BBC and the UK government. Such incidents demonstrate the intense scrutiny artists face when venturing into politically charged topics.
Watch a report; “Death to the IDF”: UK band Bob Vylan sparks outrage
The Backlash and Its Implications
The outcry following Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance has had broad implications, including the revocation of their US visas and removal from another festival in France, Kave Fest. Critics level accusations of antisemitism against the duo, prompting fierce debate about whether they crossed the line from protest art to hate speech. The lead singer’s clarification that the chants were not a call for violence but an opposition to Israeli military actions in Gaza raises important questions about speech and intent in music.
“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine … a machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.” – Bob Vylan
The incident highlights the delicate balance festivals must maintain between hosting provocative acts and upholding public and commercial interests. It underscores similar struggles faced globally as the music industry grapples with artists’ rights to provoke societal discourse while respecting community sensibilities.
A Spotlight on Artistic Freedom
Bob Vylan views their exclusion as a form of censorship, claiming they are being punished for their willingness to address painful, ongoing geopolitical issues. The band’s determination to speak out is evident in reiterations of their stance across social media, promising to return to Manchester despite current setbacks.
“Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester we will be back.” – Bob Vylan
Festival organizers, like those at Kave Fest who plan to issue a statement explaining their decision, face mounting pressure to explain how they intend to balance representation, freedom of expression, and public sentiment. It remains to be seen how Bob Vylan’s case will influence future festivals’ lineups and frameworks for evaluating artistic content.
