Who are the members of Bob Vylan? All about the British band amid BBC controversy

BBC has slammed British band Bob Vylan, particularly for chanting slogans such as “death, death to the IDF” (Israel Defense Forces) and “free, free Palestine” during their live set at the Glastonbury Festival on June 28, 2025.

According to a report in the Independent, a spokesperson from 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.”

Their performance was condemned by the government and politicians, but received praise from Palestine supporters on social media. Currently, their comments are being accessed by the police to determine whether a criminal investigation is required.

Bob Vylan is a punk rock band from Ipswich, England, formed in 2017. The group consists of singers Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan. The band released their first album in 2020, titled We Live Here. Two other albums followed it, Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life in 2022 and Humble as the Sun in 2024.

Everything we need to know about the British band Bob Vylan

Bobby Vylan, the frontman, vocalist, and guitarist of the British rock band Bob Vylan, is from England. According to his bio on Discogs, he is also a poet and began writing verse in 2004. He took his inspiration from his surroundings. He went on to become an established performance ‘poet’ using his stage name Nee Hi.

A report in The Guardian stated that Bobby Vylan started making music at an early age on the PlayStation game Music 2000. He met Bobbie, his drummer, in a London bar in 2017 (both have since quit drinking). When asked what led to the formation of their band, he told the outlet:

“I think our shared interests and values just naturally made the band what it became.”

According to reports, the band members of Bob Vylan used their stage names to protect their privacy. A report in Viva indicated that they promote veganism and avoid drinking and smoking. They adhere to a healthy lifestyle, which involves consuming a diet rich in plant-based foods.

In an interview with Alternative Press, Vylan discussed what inspired him to make music. He said:

“Growing up and listening to a lot of rap music and a lot of grime music but also listening to rock music and indie music. Once I learned to play the guitar, I knew I wanted to use the guitar to make music, but I didn’t want it to be so straightforward, like this is a rock band or a punk band or an indie band.”

The band's music addresses various topics, including racism, police violence, unequal income distribution, access to healthy food, and mental health.

Vylan was 15 when he first attended a pro-Palestine protest, as noted in a report in The Guardian. He recalled the

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“feeling of people coming together and using their voice to say that they don’t stand by the actions of this country.”

Since he formed his band, he has called out bands that describe themselves as left-wing, questioning their authenticity and their silence on the plight of Palestinians.

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