The BBC “regrets” not pulling their livestream of a Glastonbury performance in which rap duo Bob Vylan chanted “death, death to the IDF.” IDF stands for Israel Defense Forces.
The television partner of the U.K.’s biggest music festival released a statement on Monday as the fest wound down, hours after U.S. star Olivia Rodrigo wrapped up with her headline set.
The BBC drew widespread criticism for airing the set on its livestream. “Millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury this weekend across the BBC’s output, but one performance within our livestreams included comments that were deeply offensive.”
The corporation continued: “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. We welcome Glastonbury’s condemnation of the performance.”
The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming “was in line” with the BBC’s editorial guidelines, it also said, and a decision was made not to make the set available on demand. “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.”
Concluded the BBC: “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.”
In a statement posted to Instagram, one half of the rap duo, Bobby Vylan, said: “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place… As we grow older and our fire starts to possibly dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.”
But Glastonbury organizer Emily Eavis also took to the social media platform to condemn the anti-IDF chants. “Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech, or incitement to violence,” Eavis wrote.
Eavis continued: “As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism — we will always believe in — and actively campaign for — hope, unity, peace and love”, adding a performer’s comments “should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs… With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share.”
U.K. prime minister Keir Starmer was among the critics of Bob Vylan’s set.
It was a politically charged event this year. It often is as Glastonbury attracts a left-leaning crowd, but more so than ever, the polarizing politics of the current day were felt. Also on Saturday, Irish rap trio Kneecap voiced their pro-Palestine views and used the platform to criticize the U.K. and U.S. governments, as well as the U.S. media.