Bob Vylan lost their U.S. visas and a major tour after chants at Glastonbury Festival drew accusations of hate speech and sparked international backlash.
The British punk-rap duo, known for their politically charged performances, had their American travel privileges revoked following their June 29 set at Glastonbury, where they led the crowd in chants including “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF.”
The U.S. State Department called the remarks “a hateful tirade” and said the group would not be allowed to enter the country.
“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,” Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on Monday (June 30). “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
The fallout was swift. The BBC, which broadcast the performance, issued a statement saying, “The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the act, calling it “appalling hate speech.” UK police have since opened a criminal probe into the performance for possible hate crime and public order violations.
The group, made up of members Bobby and Bobbie, was scheduled to kick off a U.S. tour in October 2025. That tour is now off the table. Their booking agency, United Talent Agency, also dropped them from its roster.
Bob Vylan: “WE ARE A DISTRACTION FROM THE STORY”
Despite the mounting criticism, Bob Vylan stood by their message. On Tuesday (July 1), they released a statement addressing the controversy head-on.
“NOT THE FIRST. NOT THE LAST,” the statement began. “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.”
They continued, “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. 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.”
The duo argued that the attention on them was a distraction from larger issues. “WE, LIKE THOSE IN THE SPOTLIGHT BEFORE US, ARE NOT THE STORY. WE ARE A DISTRACTION FROM THE STORY. AND WHATEVER SANCTIONS WE RECEIVE WILL BE A DISTRACTION.”
They closed the statement with a call to action: “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.”
On Instagram, the group’s lead vocalist previously doubled down with a short message: “I said what I said.” Another post read, “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.”