BOBBY Vylan, half of punk rap duo Bob Vylan, has issued a statement after his on-stage remarks drew widespread criticism from festival bosses and politicians.
The rapper chanted “death, death to the IDF” during the pair’s Glastonbury performance on Saturday June 28, leading to a police investigation and condemnation from festival organisers, the BBC and Keir Starmer.
Taking to Instagram, Vylan posted a lengthy statement in response to the backlash captioned “I said what I said”.
He wrote: "As I lay in bed this morning, my phone buzzing non stop, inundated with messages of both support and hatred, I listen to my daughter typing out loud as she fills out a school survey asking for her feedback on the current state of her school dinners.
“She expressed that she would like healthier meals, more options and dishes inspired by other parts of the world.
“Listening to her voice her opinions on a matter that she cares about and affects her daily, reminds me that we may not be doomed after all.
“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."
He continued: “As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us.
“Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change. Let them see us marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organising online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered.
“Today it is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign policy."
The duo, formed in Ipswich in 2017, faced claims of “hate speech” and "antisemitism" for the remarks, with the BBC also facing backlash from Keir Starmer who called the comments “appalling”.
All eyes were on Kneecap, whose performance was not livestreamed by the broadcaster, after member Liam Og O Hannaidh (AKA Mo Chara) was charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a gig in 2023.
Met Police confirmed on Sunday that a second terror charge relating to the trio saying “the only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP” has been dropped.
The BBC has confirmed Bob Vylan’s performance will not be rebroadcast on its iPlayer service.
