The BBC is facing significant scrutiny after airing the controversial performance by the punk duo Bob Vylan at the Glastonbury Festival. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, June 28, 2025, has sparked a nationwide conversation about the broadcaster’s responsibility in monitoring content during live events. Bob Vylan, known for their politically charged lyrics and activism, performed a set that led to the duo chanting “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces],” among other derogatory comments, which were broadcast live on BBC’s iPlayer. This has caused an uproar in the public and media, with critics accusing the BBC of failing to properly manage its content and editorial decisions during the live stream.
Following the broadcast, the BBC announced that a small group of senior staff members would be stepping back from their day-to-day duties in music and live events. The move comes after the broadcaster admitted it had made a grave error in judgment by allowing Bob Vylan’s performance to air without intervention. In a statement, the BBC expressed its regret, stating, “There is no place for antisemitism in our output,” and acknowledging the importance of ensuring accountability for the oversight that allowed such comments to be aired. The decision to allow the performance to continue despite the inflammatory remarks has prompted widespread backlash, and the BBC has vowed to take corrective measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
The controversy surrounding Bob Vylan’s performance at Glastonbury has intensified debates about the role of broadcasters in moderating content during live events, particularly when the content includes politically sensitive statements. Bob Vylan, comprising members Bobby Vylan (Pascal Robinson-Foster) and other musicians, has faced major repercussions for their comments. The comments made during their performance at Glastonbury were viewed as incendiary, especially given their target against the Israeli military. The band’s remarks were seen by many as promoting antisemitism, even though the band later clarified that they did not support the death of Jews but were calling for the dismantling of a violent military machine.
The BBC, in its aftermath of the performance, acknowledged that Bob Vylan was one of seven acts deemed “high-risk” before the festival due to their politically charged statements and history of controversial content. The broadcaster explained that they believed that the risks posed by these acts could be mitigated through real-time compliance actions, such as issuing content warnings or potentially cutting the feed if necessary. However, in this instance, the editorial team on duty made the decision not to cut the feed or intervene during the performance, a decision they now admit was a mistake. The BBC further clarified that it will be making immediate changes to its livestreaming policies for future music events, with any acts considered “high-risk” not being broadcast or streamed live in the future.
The response from the BBC has been mixed. The broadcaster’s chair, Samir Shah, issued an apology, acknowledging the mistake and apologizing to viewers, particularly the Jewish community, for allowing the comments to air live. “This was unquestionably an error of judgment,” Shah stated, adding that the decision not to cut the live feed was a significant oversight. The BBC also took swift action to withdraw Bob Vylan’s performance from on-demand coverage, ensuring that it would no longer be available for viewing on iPlayer or BBC Sounds.
However, the BBC’s response has been met with criticism from various quarters. The UK’s Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, publicly condemned the comments, calling them “unacceptable” and “deeply offensive.” The controversy also led to comments from the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, who expressed her dissatisfaction with the BBC’s handling of the situation. Nandy raised concerns about the lack of due diligence and oversight, calling for accountability at the highest levels of the BBC. Nandy’s call for stronger actions in the wake of the incident reflects growing concerns about the influence of high-profile figures, particularly in the music and entertainment industry, in shaping public discourse.
In response to the widespread criticism, the BBC’s Director-General, Tim Davie, offered his condolences to those offended by the remarks made during Bob Vylan’s performance. Davie, who was on-site at Glastonbury during the performance, stated that he “deeply regrets” the situation and expressed his sorrow for the hurt caused by the offensive comments. The BBC further explained that they would be investigating the incident and taking actions to ensure accountability for those involved in the decision-making process.
The fallout from the incident has not only affected the BBC but also Bob Vylan. The band has faced several cancellations of performances, including scheduled slots at festivals in Manchester, France, and Germany. In response to the cancellations, Bob Vylan reiterated their position, emphasizing that they were not advocating violence but rather calling for the end of a military conflict. They claimed that the focus should be on the issues they were addressing, rather than on the backlash they received. Despite the cancellations, the band expressed confidence that they would continue to move forward, maintaining their stance on political activism and speaking out against injustice.
The police have also become involved in the controversy. Avon and Somerset Police have launched a criminal investigation into the comments made by the band during their Glastonbury performance, and the London Metropolitan Police are investigating remarks made during another concert in Alexandra Palace earlier this year. Bob Vylan’s comments are being scrutinized for potential violations of hate speech laws, adding another layer of complexity to the already tense situation.
Amid the public uproar, some commentators have defended Bob Vylan’s right to free speech, arguing that they were merely expressing political views in a protest against military violence. They argue that censoring such opinions undermines the right to freedom of expression, even if the content is offensive to some. Others, however, believe that the comments crossed a line and should not have been broadcast without intervention. This ongoing debate over the balance between free speech and the responsibility of broadcasters to maintain standards has sparked a larger conversation about the role of media in the modern age.
As the investigation continues, the BBC faces the challenge of restoring its reputation and ensuring that similar mistakes are not made in the future. In addition to the changes in its livestreaming policies, the corporation is likely to implement more stringent vetting processes for high-risk acts at future events. The incident at Glastonbury has been a wake-up call for broadcasters and regulators alike, highlighting the complexities of managing live content in an era of increasing political polarization.
For now, Bob Vylan’s performance remains one of the most talked-about moments of Glastonbury 2025, with its fallout continuing to reverberate across the music industry and beyond. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on the BBC as it navigates the challenges of accountability and its responsibility to its audience. Whether or not the broadcaster can regain public trust remains to be seen, but the lessons learned from this incident will likely shape how live events are handled in the future.
The Bob Vylan Glastonbury performance serves as a reminder of the power of media and the responsibility that comes with broadcasting. While the debate continues, one thing is certain: the impact of this controversial moment will be felt for a long time.
