UK Police Investigate Glastonbury Sets by Bob Vylan and Kneecap

Avon and Somerset Police have opened a criminal investigation into performances by London punk duo Bob Vylan and Belfast rap trio Kneecap at Glastonbury Festival after receiving what the force described as a large volume of complaints from the UK and abroad. The incidents have been logged as a public-order matter, and officers are reviewing video of the sets to determine whether any offences were committed.

During Saturday’s appearances on the festival’s West Holts Stage, Bob Vylan led crowd chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF.” Kneecap followed with similar pro-Palestinian slogans and an expletive-laden denunciation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had earlier questioned whether the group should be allowed to perform at the event. Police said “there is absolutely no place in society for hate” as they consider potential charges.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy condemned the language used on stage and has asked the BBC to explain what checks were carried out before broadcasting the acts. The broadcaster has since removed both sets from its streaming platform. The investigation intensifies political scrutiny of Glastonbury, which has faced mounting pressure over performers’ comments on the Israel-Hamas war and other contentious issues.