Controversy Erupts After Punk Rap Duo’s Performance at Glastonbury

The British punk rap duo sparked significant backlash for their set at the Glastonbury Festival, where they shouted phrases like “Death to IDF” and “Free Palestine.” This has drawn criticism from political figures and festival organizers alike.

Bob Bilan, from London, describes the group on social media as “the most beautiful punk/rap/alt thing you’ve ever encountered.” Their songs, including “We Live Here,” “Dream Bigger,” and “Makes Me Me Me Violent,” showcase a blend of punk and rap elements.

During their energetic performance on Saturday, frontman Bobby Villain made a strong statement as he repeated “Death to IDF” several times, encouraging the crowd to join in. The IDF refers to the Israeli Defense Forces. Attendees waved Palestinian flags, yelling slogans back in support.

He continued by chanting, “Free, free, free Palestine,” which greatly resonated with the audience. He followed up with a powerful remark, saying, “From the rivers to the sea, Palestine must be free.”

This clip has quickly gone viral, prompting British police in Somerset and Avon to investigate whether any criminal acts occurred during the performance.

In a related note, former Mumford & Sons guitarist has slammed the music industry for its silence regarding recent anti-Semitic incidents.

Reports indicate that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Bilan of inciting hate speech against Israeli forces. Meanwhile, the BBC, which broadcast the festival live, decided to remove the duo’s segment from its streaming service. Viewers were also cautioned with an on-screen warning about “very strong and discriminatory words” featured during the live show.

Festival organizers took note of the situation and released a statement emphasizing that the Glastonbury Festival, established in 1970, serves as a space for music, art, and community expression.

They stated, “As a festival, we oppose all forms of war and terrorism. We believe in hope, unity, peace, and love.” They also pointed out that around 4,000 performances occur during the festival, and that the presence of certain artists does not imply endorsement of their views.

Another act, Kneecap, also took the stage that same day, despite allegations that they support Hezbollah. They led the crowd in a similar chant, “Free Palestine.”

Notably, Glastonbury remains one of the largest music festivals in England, attracting nearly 200,000 attendees each year with approximately 4,000 performances spread across 120 stages.