What did Bob Vylan say after BBC chief condemned his Glastonbury performance as "deeply disturbing"? Drama explained

The drama surrounding punk-rap duo Bob Vylan's controversial Glastonbury set has escalated once again. BBC Director General Tim Davie publicly described their performance as "deeply disturbing" when he was addressing MPs recently.

The comments were made before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in Westminster. On the same day that Davie made his remarks, Bob Vylan announced a new UK headline run under the banner We Won't Go Quietly. Notably, their June performance included a police investigation, revoked U.S. visas, and they were also dropped by their booking agency.

The main controversy surrounding Bob Vylan dates back to June, when the duo took to the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival. During the set, frontman Bobby Vylan led chants of "death to the IDF." He referred to the Israeli Defence Force. Avon and Somerset Police launched an investigation following complaints from the public. However, no charges have been filed to date.

Tim Davie faced questioning this week over the BBC's decision to livestream the set on iPlayer. Davie said:

"I knew absolutely that it was an antisemitic broadcast … it was deeply disturbing, deeply disturbing."

He also admitted to MPs that some BBC staff involved in Bob Vylan's set broadcast were now facing internal processes.

Bob Vylan's fiery response

Bobby Vylan hit back strongly at Davie's statement. Bobby took to his official X (formerly Twitter) to share a series of posts, where he wrote:

"Tim Davie is a spineless puppet. There was nothing antisemitic or criminal about anything I said at Glastonbury. Why do you think @metpoliceuk @ASPolice are taking so long? Lorna Clarke, a Black woman, was so quickly dismissed from her duties after Glastonbury. Why? Someone had to fall and who easier to take it than a Black woman. But now he’s getting grilled and is showing just how incompetent and bought HE is."

He also added:

"And the reason it was not cut immediately is not because of some oversight at the BBC as they keep making out, but because there was nothing antisemitic about the performance. As a matter of fact I know there were staff at the BBC that loved the performance and saw nothing wrong with it until they were told there was something it wrong with it. I also know some other bits and pieces but let me just 🤐"

Bobby Vylan to the alleged dismissal of Lorna Clarke, a Black BBC executive, as a result of their festival set.

Bob Vylan's "We Won't Go Quietly" tour

Bob Vylan is officially set for a six-date UK headline run for late 2025. In their statement to fans, they said:

"After all the attempts to silence us, we are about to be louder than ever. We won't go quietly!"

Tour dates

• Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Leeds, England, at O2 Academy Leeds
• Wednesday, November 5, 2025, Manchester, England, at Manchester Academy
• Thursday, November 6, 2025, Glasgow, Scotland, at O2 Academy Glasgow
• Tuesday, November 11, 2025, London, England, at O2 Forum Kentish Town
• Thursday, November 20, 2025, Bristol, England, at The Prospect Building
• Thursday, December 4, 2025, Birmingham, England, at O2 Academy Birmingham

Tickets for Bob Vylan's newly announced shows will go on general sale on Friday, September 12, 2025, via their official website. O2 Priority members will have early access from Wednesday.

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