Bob Vylan Axed From Radar, Kave Fest After Glastonbury Backlash

Bob Vylan have been removed from the lineups of England’s Radar Festival and France’s Kave Fest as backlash continues from their Glastonbury set.

The London punk-rap duo also lost their U.S. visas and representation with United Talent Agency following their politically charged West Holts Stage appearance, where frontman Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death to the IDF.”

Kave Fest organizers explained the band’s removal, saying: “In light of recent events, Bob Vylan have been dropped by their agent. The Eure department and the city of Gisors have informed us they will oppose Bob Vylan’s presence at Kave Fest. We fully support freedom of expression for ALL artists around the world. Our thoughts are with the victims of war in Palestine and their families. We stand firmly against all acts of war and hatred.”

A statement posted on Radar festival’s Instagram account also confirmed their removal, saying, “Bob Vylan will not be appearing at Radar festival this weekend.”

Bob Vylan responded defiantly to the cancellations in a statement shared to Instagram on Tuesday (July 1), captioning the post, “Silence is not an option.”

Text shared on the post read, “Today, a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace. Last week it was a Palestine pressure group, the week before that it was another band.

“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people,” the statement continued. “We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use ‘unnecessary lethal force’ against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza.”

They added, “The more time they talk about Bob Vylan, the less time they spend answering for their criminal inaction. We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first. We will not be the last. And if you care for the sanctity of human life and freedom of speech, we urge you to speak up, too. FREE PALESTINE.”

Earlier this week, Bob Vylan’s U.S. visas were revoked, forcing the cancellation of their planned North American tour dates. Meanwhile, U.K. police have jannounced that they have opened investigations into both Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s Glastonbury performances.

“Video footage and audio from Bob Vylan and Kneecap’s performances at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday has been reviewed,” said the police force in a statement as per Deadline. “Following the completion of that assessment process we have decided further enquiries are required and a criminal investigation is now being undertaken. A senior detective has been appointed to lead this investigation.”

“This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.”