Bob Vylan have responded to the police dropping its investigation into the duo’s controversial Glastonbury performance.
The British punk-rap duo sparked controversy in June when they led the crowd in a chant of “Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)” during their set.
As a result of the uproar, they were dropped by their agency UTA and were forced to cancel their North American tour after their visas were revoked.
On Tuesday, Avon and Somerset Police announced that they were taking no further action against the band after discovering there was insufficient evidence “for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction”.
Responding to the decision in a lengthy Instagram statement on Wednesday, frontman Bobby Vylan wrote, “The arrival of the news that no further action will be taken against any member of Bob Vylan regarding our Glastonbury performance in June 2025, should be something we as a band find celebration in. But the fact is, the criminal investigation of the chant was never warranted in the first place,” he wrote.
Bobby, real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, claimed that the media and politicians have “consistently attacked” them over the past six months for using their platform to make “a display of solidarity with the Palestinian people”.
“We hope that this news inspires others in the UK and around the world to speak up, and continue speaking up, in support of the Palestinian people, without fear,” he continued. “We have had our shows cancelled, visas revoked, our names tarnished and our lives upended, but what we have lost in peace and security, we have gained tenfold in spirit and camaraderie. And that is unbreakable.”
The musician signed off his post by thanking everybody who supported them over the past six months, adding, “It has been beautiful to feel such community gather around.”
