**Police Review Glastonbury Festival Sets Following Accusations of Hateful Speech**
Avon and Somerset Police have launched an inquiry into comments made by performers on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival, following mounting criticism and accusations of hate speech and incitement. The festival, held annually at Worthy Farm in Somerset, became the centre of controversy on its third day after statements made by artists Bob Vylan and Kneecap drew widespread condemnation from various quarters, including political leaders and international representatives.
Footage from Saturday’s performances showed rapper Bobby Vylan of the punk duo Bob Vylan leading chants among the audience, including calls such as “Free, free Palestine” and the widely-criticised “Death, death to the IDF”. Meanwhile, a member of Belfast-based hip hop act Kneecap suggested fans “start a riot” outside a forthcoming court appearance of a bandmate, before later clarifying his remarks as symbolic rather than literal.
Avon and Somerset Police acknowledged the furore in a statement on social media, stating: “We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon. Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”
Reactions were swift, with the Israeli Embassy in the UK expressing grave concerns over the content and tone of the performances. In a public statement, embassy officials contended that while freedom of expression is vital in a democracy, such rhetoric crossed the line into incitement and could potentially normalise extremist language before a mass audience. They urged Glastonbury organisers, artists, and public figures to publicly denounce all forms of hate speech.
Senior British politicians also weighed in. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch decried the scenes as “grotesque,” arguing on social media that glorifying violence was not protest but incitement, and warning that failing to challenge such behaviour risked greater harm. Ms Badenoch lamented the apparent lack of awareness among festivalgoers who cheered the remarks, drawing attention to the context of previous music festival attacks.
The BBC, which livestreamed some of Glastonbury’s performances, responded to criticism regarding coverage of Bob Vylan’s set. The broadcaster said viewers had been warned about discriminatory language during the live broadcast, and confirmed that the performance would not be made available for later viewing on BBC iPlayer. In parallel, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy reportedly sought an urgent explanation from the BBC about its due diligence in screening the set, welcoming the BBC’s decision not to rebroadcast the controversial content.
Kneecap’s appearance had already been the subject of public debate prior to the festival. The group’s member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, known as Mo Chara, faces terror-related charges linked to previous appearances and political remarks, which prompted calls from some politicians for Glastonbury to remove the act from its line-up. During their set, Kneecap openly criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and thanked the festival organisers for resisting pressure to exclude them.
Visual symbols also played a significant role in the group’s performance, with O hAnnaidh donning a keffiyeh and another member, DJ Provai, wearing a T-shirt supporting campaign group Palestine Action. The area around the West Holts Stage was closed to further attendees after crowds, waving Irish and Palestinian flags, made their way to the stage.
Despite the turbulent backdrop, other elements of Glastonbury continued in the festival’s usual celebratory spirit. Saturday evening witnessed Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts taking to the Pyramid Stage, following sets by artists such as Charli XCX and a surprise appearance from the band Haim. Sunday’s schedule promised performances from Sir Rod Stewart, joined by special guests, and Olivia Rodrigo headlining later in the evening.
This year’s events raise continuing questions about the balance between freedom of expression and the risks of incendiary speech at public gatherings. The tension between artists’ rights to address political issues and the organisers’ responsibilities has become more pronounced, especially in light of global conflicts resonating among British audiences.
As the police continue to investigate, the Glastonbury controversy highlights the ongoing debate about the limits of artistic expression, the responsibilities of broadcasters, and the need for vigilance against hate speech in public forums. The outcome of this investigation may have broader implications for how future festivals and live events approach politically-charged performances.