The US State Department has rescinded Bob Vylan’s US visas following the group’s Glastonbury Festival performance.
Clips of the British rap punk group’s performance show frontman Bobby Vylan leading the crowd in a chorus of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF,” or Israel Defense Forces.
The duo also projected a message on the stage screen that read, “United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a ‘conflict.’,” in reference to the war in Gaza. BBC streamed the festival live.
“The @StateDept 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. Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country,” Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said in a statement to X on Monday.
According to CNN, the US State Department has an aggressive visa restriction and revocation policy for those who allegedly advocate for terrorism and anti-Semitism.
The duo—comprised of rapper Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan—was gearing up for a US tour in late October and early November.
Bobby reflected on the Glastonbury performance on Instagram, writing, “I said what I said,” alongside a lengthy note that revealed he had received both “messages of both support and hatred” after the performance.
“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,” the post read. “As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.”
A BBC spokesperson issued a statement to CNN, calling some of Vylan’s messages “deeply offensive.”
BBC later said that “with hindsight,” the duo’s performance should have been removed from the broadcast, adding that the corporation “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,” BBC said.
On Monday, Deadline reported that UTA also dropped Bob Vylan as a client.
Bob Vylan isn’t the only musical act that’s received backlash due to pro-Palestinian messaging. Earlier this year, Cornell University canceled Kehlani’s performance, calling her “antisemitic.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams subsequently canceled the singer’s headlining show at Central Park, citing “security concerns.”
