Controversial punk band Bob Vylan incites fury at Glastonbury with anti-IDF chants on BBC

WARNING: CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE: The controversial punk duo stunned Glastonbury viewers with their anti-Israel rant as they chanted 'death to the IDF' during their set

16:24 ET, Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Updated: 16:33 ET, Sat, Jun 28, 2025

Bobby Vylan crowd surfs at Glastonbury.

Bobby Vylan crowd surfs at Glastonbury (Image: undefined)

A punk rock band has ignited outrage by leading a crowd in chants of "death to the IDF" during a live BBC broadcast in the UK.

The London-based music duo Bob Vylan caused a stir among Glastonbury Festival viewers as they railed against the Gaza conflict and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Before inciting their audience into a chant, the punk pair, aired live on BBC, surprised viewers when the screen suddenly displayed a message stating, "Free Palestine United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a 'conflict.'"

They then urged their fans to echo them, shouting "Death to the IDF" and "Free Palestine."

Frontman Bobby Vylan ended his provocative chant with the declaration, "From the river to the sea Palestine must be, will be, free.", reports Irish Star

Bob Vylan performs at Glastonbury.

Bob Vylan performs at Glastonbury (Image: undefined)

Their performance was reportedly a reaction to the BBC's decision to prevent the next act from making a contentious statement on air.

Hip hop group Kneecap's performance was not streamed by the BBC due to concerns over their recent behavior related to the Gaza conflict.

The broadcaster had reservations about airing the trio, given their history of controversial acts, including one that resulted in a terror offense charge for a band member.

Despite the controversy, the band members remain defiant, claiming they are pleased to stand "on the right side of history."

Bob Vylan performs at the Glastonbury festival.

Bob Vylan performs at the Glastonbury festival (Image: undefined)

Bob Vylan kicked off his performance by expressing solidarity with his fellow artists, stating "Recently a list was released of people trying to stop our mates Kneecap from performing here today. And who do I see on that f---ing list, but that bald-headed c--- I used to f---ing work for," he declared on stage, alluding to a former coworker at a record label.

"So look, we have done it all, from working in bars to working for f---ing Zionists. So if we can do this, you can do absolutely anything that you put your mind to I'm telling you this.The vocalist went on to say, "We're seeing some f---ed up things in the world. We're seeing the UK and the US be complicit in war crimes and genocide happening over there to the Palestinian people.

""And I know we're on the BBC, we're not going to say anything crazy. Leave that for them lads, you know what I mean.

""But unfortunately we have seen a strange reaction to people that come out and voice support for Palestine. Even though anybody with any moral compass can surely see that what is happening over there in Gaza is a tragedy.

"Bob wrapped up by saying, "We are not pacifist punks here over at Bob Vylan Enterprises. We are the violent punks, because sometimes, you have to get your message across with violence because that is the only language some people speak.