Glastonbury organisers have dropped a band from its lineup because they have a song that tells people to “kill Tory scum”.
Killdren – who in their own words are “a two-bit rave punk band” – describe the song “Kill Tory Scum (Before They Kill You)” as a “politically charged slapstick anthem”.
They were scheduled to play in the Shangri-La section of the Worthy Farm festival on Friday 28 June.
The area’s schedulers acknowledged the upset the band’s booking caused in a statement that read: “We in no way condone violence and will not allow this matter to overshadow the incredibly inclusive spirit of Glastonbury, and as a result we have taken the decision to withdraw the booking of this band.”
The song’s lyrics include the lines: “Even if it’s your dad or your mum, kill Tory scum, kill Tory scum / murder them all to the beat of a drum.”
Its music video ends with a caption that says the band “do not condone the killing of MPs or voters”.
Killdren’s booking was first reported by The Sunday Times. “The piece would not exist if the destructive and violent policies of the Tory party hadn’t taken such a devastating toll on the UK,” the band told the paper.
According to the BBC, their set at Boomtown Fair in 2018 saw band members kicking, punching and spitting at a man dressed in a suit who was suggested to be a Tory.
Catherine Anderson, chief executive of the Jo Cox Foundation condemned the the band’s use of “abhorrent language”.
Glastonbury Festival takes place from 28-30 June.
