Bob Vylan Claims BBC Praise After Controversial Glastonbury Performance Sparks International Backlash

The punk duo Bob Vylan sparked controversy at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival by leading chants including "death to the IDF," which the BBC later admitted breached editorial guidelines by broadcasting live. Despite the backlash, including condemnation by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and a U.S. visa revocation, the band's frontman, Bobby Vylan, claimed in multiple interviews that BBC staff praised their performance immediately after the set, describing it as "fantastic." The BBC acknowledged errors in handling the live broadcast, with Director-General Tim Davie admitting the live feed should have been cut and disciplinary actions underway. Vylan defended his chants as a lyrical expression of protest against the situation in Palestine, expressing no regret and criticizing the disproportionate backlash compared to the conditions in Gaza. The controversy led to cancellations of their U.S. tour and removal from other festivals, highlighting tensions over political speech in live music events. The BBC's internal investigation found that while some references were expressions of political support, the chant "death to the IDF" was problematic, especially within the broader context of the performance's language and tone.