Bob Vylan has been dropped from the RADAR Festival lineup following their Glastonbury set and backlash over anti-IDF chants.
RADAR Festival has confirmed that Bob Vylan “will not be appearing” at this weekend’s event, pulling the duo from their scheduled headline slot just days before the show.
Bobby and Bobbie Vylan were slated to headline Saturday, July 5, at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse as part of the festival’s lineup. However, RADAR Festival announced in a (very straight to the point) statement shared on social media that “Bob Vylan will not be appearing at RADAR Festival this weekend.”
The festival’s official website now lists ‘Headliner TBA’ in place of the band’s name for Saturday’s slot. Other acts slated to play RADAR Festival this weekend include Underoath, Carpenter Brut, and Normandie.
The decision follows the controversial set Bob Vylan performed at Glastonbury on June 28, during which frontman Bobby chanted “Free Palestine” as well as “Death, death to the IDF” from the stage. The moment quickly went viral, igniting a wave of backlash.
In the days since the performance, Bob Vylan have been investigated by police (who have also noted they’re reviewing footage from Kneecap’s set), publicly condemned by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and criticised by several Jewish groups. Additionally, they have reportedly been dropped by both their management and booking agents in the wake of the incident, as well as having their visas pulled by the U.S. Department of State.
On July 1, Bob Vylan released a statement clarifying their stance, writing, “We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military 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.”
It’s not just Bob Vylan and Kneecap that took to the stage at Glastonbury to speak out, though. Amyl & The Sniffers has slammed the “British media frenzy” surrounding both groups’ Glastonbury performances. “Artists all weekend at Glastonbury – pop, rock, rap, punk, even the DJs – spoke up onstage,” they wrote.
“Trying to make it look like just a couple of ‘bad bands’ so it appears the public isn’t as anti-genocide as it is.” Frontwoman Amy Taylor used the band’s own set to talk on the situation, dedicating ‘Guided by Angels’ to “the people of Palestine” and roasting Australia’s government for “doing jack shit”.
Bob Vylan, known for their uncompromising blend of punk, grime, and political commentary, have built a reputation for confronting controversial topics head-on. However, the fallout from their Glastonbury appearance has led to one of the biggest setbacks of their career so far, with more festival bookings and collaborations now potentially in jeopardy.
RADAR Festival’s move is a significant development in the conversation around artists’ free speech during performances – something that musicians have exercised for many decades to lend their voices to political causes they believe in.
As of now, the festival has yet to announce who will replace Bob Vylan as Saturday night’s headliner.
RELATED
MORE IN Music
