Bob Vylan Sparks UK Backlash After Glastonbury 'Death to IDF' Chants

Bob Vylan, a London-based punk-rap duo known for their politically charged music, sparked major controversy at Glastonbury 2025 by chanting "Death to the IDF" and calling for a "Free Palestine" during their performance, igniting widespread backlash across music, media, and political spheres. The BBC admitted prior to the festival that Bob Vylan was deemed a "high risk" act but chose to live-stream their set with content warnings, a decision it later regretted after the performance aired uncut. Right Said Fred members criticized the duo for bringing a "dark place" to the festival and accused them of lacking intelligence in their expression, contrasting with artists who incorporate political messages with wit and musicality. The fallout continued with Bob Vylan being dropped from the Radar Festival lineup and facing police investigation into whether their comments constituted criminal offenses. Despite the backlash, Bob Vylan defended their stance, emphasizing opposition to a "violent military machine" rather than any racial or ethnic group, claiming they are being targeted for speaking up for Palestine. The incident has reignited debates on free speech in Britain, with some commentators arguing that offensive political expression, however crude, must be protected to preserve democracy and free society.