BBC issues statement on Bob Vylan Glastonbury backlash, UTA drops band amid Anti-IDF chants

The BBC has responded to public backlash over its choice to livestream Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury Festival 2025 with a formal statement.

The performance gained traction online because of politically charged chants during the duo’s time on the West Holts stage. This has sparked a wider conversation about broadcast rules and how festivals are managed.

On Saturday afternoon, the punk-rap duo led chants featuring slogans about the Israel-Palestine conflict. The BBC admitted afterward that it should have stopped the live footage during the performance. In a statement on Monday, the broadcaster highlighted the difficulties of managing live broadcasts. It also promised to revisit its internal guidelines to make better editorial choices during future live events.

The BBC restated its commitment to freedom of expression while highlighting its stand against any content seen as encouraging violence. It also mentioned plans to review its processes to prevent such incidents in the future.

UTA cuts ties with Bob Vylan as BBC and Glastonbury respond to Glastonbury set controversy

United Talent Agency, which worked with Bob Vylan, appears to have cut ties with the band. Their profile no longer shows on UTA’s website, and Variety reported that sources confirmed the agency had dropped them. UTA has not provided a public explanation for the move.

Festival organizers released a statement on Sunday that addressed the situation. They voiced concern about the chants heard during the performance. They mentioned that these types of remarks go against what is acceptable at the event. They also restated Glastonbury’s rules about hate speech and incitement.

Bob Vylan’s performance happened just before the Irish rap group Kneecap was set to take the stage. Kneecap’s political messages had landed one of its members in legal trouble under the UK’s Terrorism Act. The BBC chose not to broadcast their performance.

“The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen,” the BBC said on Monday.

“The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence. The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves. In light of this weekend, we will look at our guidance around live events so we can be sure teams are clear on when it is acceptable to keep output on air.”

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After the incident, Bobby Vylan, the lead singer of Bob Vylan, shared a statement on Instagram to defend the band's actions. He emphasized how activism matters and urged people to stay involved in trying to change society. The post encouraged public action but didn’t address the backlash or the choices made by the BBC or UTA.

At the time of writing, the band’s representatives have not released any further statements.

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