Punk duo Bob Vylan found themselves in hot water this weekend following a Glastonbury Festival performance that included chants described as antisemitic. Now, United Talent Agency says it has dropped the musical act following the response to the performance.
The U.S. State Department has also revoked the visas for both members.
During the set, rapper Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chants of “free Palestine” and “death to the IDF,” referring to the Israeli Defense Forces.
The performance took place during what is one of the U.K.’s biggest music festivals. According to The Guardian, Glastonbury drew more than 200,000 attendees this year.
After the moment was broadcast live on BBC, calls came for the outlet’s director general to resign, according to“Good Morning Britain.”
BBC responds to live airing
In a statement posted to their website, the BBC said it “respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence.”
“The judgment on Saturday to issue a warning on screen while streaming online was in line with our editorial guidelines,” the statement read. “In addition, we took the decision not to make the performance available on demand. The team were dealing with a live situation but with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance.”
CNN reported British police are now reviewing footage of the performance to determine whether it qualifies as a criminal offense. Meanwhile, Deadline confirmed that UTA swiftly dropped the duo.
UTA insiders reportedly shared similar sentiments to Glastonbury organizers, stating Vylan “overstepped the mark” with his remarks.
Other involved parties’ respond
Glastonbury organizers issued a statement via Instagram over the weekend, clarifying that a performer’s appearance at the festival should not be interpreted as an endorsement of their views.
“We are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday,” the statement read in part. “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.”
Bobby Vylan, however, doubled down in his own Instagram post, captioned, “I said what I 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,” he wrote.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the chants “appalling hate speech” and added that “there is no excuse” for that kind of language, the BBC reported.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau wrote on X Monday, “The [State Department] has revoked the US visas for the members of the Bob Vylan band in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.”
The duo was set to perform in cities like Atlanta and New York City this summer.
Kneecap under scrutiny
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap was also closely watched at this year’s festival. One of its members, Liam O’Hanna, was charged with a terrorism offense in May 2025 after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance at O2 Forum Kentish Town on Nov. 21, 2024.
“Officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command were made aware on Tuesday, April 22, of an online video from the event,” police said, according to Roya News. “An investigation was carried out, which led to the Crown Prosecution Service authorizing the above charge.”
At Coachella this past April, Kneecap also drew criticism for leading a crowd chant of “free Palestine.”
“Kneecap should not be given a platform — and that goes for any performer making threats or inciting violence,” Starmer said.
