BBC skips Kneecap at Glastonbury 2025, live streams Bob Vylan amid controversial chants

BBC's Glastonbury coverage has become a politically charged affair after Bob Vylan and Kneecap's performances at the music festival. The controversy has erupted in the wake of BBC's decision to live broadcast Bob Vylan’s set, which was allegedly full of anti-Israel and anti-IDF chants.

Kneecap was earlier denied live streaming privileges, with BBC opting for their Glastonbury performance to only be made available on iPlayer. Kneecap's Coachella performance earlier this year also sparked debate over statements about Gaza, and one member, Mo Chara, reportedly faces terrorism charges related to displaying a Hezbollah flag.

Rumors are afloat that the BBC reportedly gave in to political pressure that it had been subjected to. The broadcasting company faced a lot of flak for its decision, and in the wake of Bob Vylan's performance at the Glastonbury set, many people have raised questions over the inconsistencies in BBC's editorial decisions.

Bob Vylan took offence at Kneecap's exclusion from the live stream, and while being on stage, he took shots at the world leaders, IDF, and the pro-Israel lobby for letting the tragedies unfold in Gaza.

Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury 2025

Bob Vylan led the chants of "Death to IDF", "Free Palestine", and "From the river to the sea Palestine must be, will be, free" on stage, a moment that was broadcast live to viewers in the UK. These chants were echoed by thousands of fans, many waving Palestinian flags, reflecting the surge of pro-Palestinian sentiment at the event.

While expressing solidarity with Kneecap, Bob Vylan, one-half of the band, said:

"Recently a list was released of people trying to stop our mates Kneecap from performing here today. And who do I see on that f---ing list, but that bald-headed c--- I used to f---ing work for. So look, we have done it all, from working in bars to working for f---ing Zionists. So if we can do this, you can do absolutely anything that you put your mind to I'm telling you this."

He then went on to take shots at the BBC, where he was quoted as saying:

"We're seeing some f---ed up things in the world. We're seeing the UK and the US be complicit in war crimes and genocide happening over there to the Palestinian people. And I know we're on the BBC, we're not going to say anything crazy. Leave that for them lads, you know what I mean."

He went on to add:

"But unfortunately we have seen a strange reaction to people that come out and voice support for Palestine. Even though anybody with any moral compass can surely see that what is happening over there in Gaza is a tragedy. We are not pacifist punks here over at Bob Vylan Enterprises. We are the violent punks, because sometimes, you have to get your message across with violence because that is the only language some people speak."

Bob Vylan's performance at the Glastonbury set has sparked a tidal wave of responses from critics, with a UK TV personality, Mahyar Tousi, allegedly demanding the arrest of the artists. Somerset Police has even launched an inquiry into the issue, with further investigations to be carried out in due course of time.

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The BBC’s contrasting treatment of Kneecap and Bob Vylan at Glastonbury 2025 has drawn the ire of many within the domestic and international community. Although the BBC has remained silent over the incident, the next action of the broadcasting agency will be much-awaited.

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