Police are bracing for two planned protests outside a music venue in northwest London on Tuesday night, where punk-rap duo Bob Vylan are due to perform.
The band sparked controversy at Glastonbury earlier this year after frontman Bobby Vylan (real name Pascal Robinson-Foster) led the crowd in a chant of “Death, death to the IDF” — referring to Israel’s Defence Forces — during their West Holts Stage set.
It emerged on Tuesday that he had been interviewed by Avon and Somerset Constabulary, following an investigation launched months ago to determine whether any offences were committed during the set.
The performance was condemned by critics, including MPs and community groups, while the BBC faced criticism for failing to halt its livestream.
Protesters from the Stop The Hate advocacy group will gather at 6.30pm outside the O2 Forum in Kentish Town this evening to oppose the gig, while counter-protesters from the Palestine Coalition will assemble in support of Bob Vylan.
The Metropolitan Police has placed restrictions on the planned protests, under the Public Order Act, to prevent any disorder. Both protests must end by 9.30pm.
“This evening a concert by the act Bob Vylan will take place at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. We're aware of two planned protests and we've imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption and serious disorder,” a spokesperson for Met Police said.
This evening a concert by the act Bob Vylan will take place at the O2 Forum Kentish Town.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 11, 2025
We're aware of two planned protests and we've imposed Public Order Act conditions to prevent serious disruption and serious disorder.
The details of the conditions can be found below 🔽
“A protest by 'Stop the Hate' must take place in the blue area in Fortess Walk. A protest by the Palestine Coalition and other groups must take place in the orange area in Highgate Road. Both protests must end by 9.30pm.”
The Stop The Hate advocacy group claims there is widespread community objection to the performance, with 1,000 people writing to their local council leader to express their concerns, according to Jewish News.
A spokesperson for the group told the news outlet: “North London is drawing a line. When an event raises legitimate fears of fuelling anti-Jewish hostility, leaders must act not look the other way.
“Our community is tired of being told that concerns about antisemitism will be ‘noted’ and nothing more. North London deserves protection, not platitudes. We are calling for action, from the venue, from industry leaders, and from the Prime Minister, because our safety and dignity are not optional.”
Following their Glastonbury performance, Bob Vylan were dropped from several festivals and performances, including Radar Festival and a planned US tour, after their visas were revoked.
The group also recently postponed two UK shows, including one in Manchester, amid calls from Jewish leaders and MPs for the events to be cancelled.
Despite the backlash, the band have received strong support from fans, with their album Humble As The Sun re-entering the charts over the summer.
The controversy around the performance was among several high-profile scandals the BBC faced over the summer, although director general Tim Davie remained in post despite calls for his resignation.
However, Davie resigned on Sunday following the release of a damaging memo that raised concerns about a number of editorial decisions within the BBC — including an edited speech by President Trump.
Avon and Somerset Police said a man in his 30s, understood to be Robinson-Foster, had voluntarily attended an interview on Monday, after the force received advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
A police statement read: "It has been important for us to have a full understanding of any legal precedents, which is a complex process, and therefore over the past couple of months we have been seeking early legal advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.
"Advice from the CPS was received during the week commencing Monday, October 20.
"Following a review of the advice, a voluntary police interview was arranged to help us progress our inquiries, which was held yesterday afternoon.
"The matter has been recorded as a public order incident while we continue to investigate and consider all relevant legislation."
Police said voluntary interviews are "commonly used in investigations where an individual agrees to attend and an arrest is not considered necessary", and added that "attendees are interviewed under caution and have the same legal rights as anybody who is arrested".
British Airways paused their sponsorship of the Louis Theroux podcast in October following an interview with Robinson-Foster, which saw him say he was "not regretful" of the chant and would "do it again tomorrow".
