BBC Bans ‘High Risk’ Glastonbury Performances Following Bob Vylan Controversy
The BBC has announced it will no longer broadcast or livestream “high risk” performances from Glastonbury and other live music events, following backlash over punk duo Bob Vylan’s set at this year’s festival.
As reported by Rolling Stone, the broadcaster issued a formal apology after the duo’s performance included chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces],” sparking accusations of antisemitism.
“We deeply regret that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC and want to apologise to our viewers, listeners, and in particular the Jewish community,” the BBC said in a statement. The broadcaster admitted “errors” in compliance processes and confirmed that Bob Vylan’s set has been permanently removed from BBC iPlayer and Sounds.
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The band had been classified as “high risk” ahead of the festival, alongside six other acts, but was still permitted to perform with “appropriate mitigations.” The BBC now says this approach failed, and moving forward, all “high risk” acts will automatically be excluded from broadcast or livestream.
Glastonbury organisers also condemned the performance, while Bob Vylan defended their comments on Instagram, calling them “an honest reflection” and stating, “We are being targeted for speaking up. We are not the first. We will not be the last.”
The fallout has seen Bob Vylan removed from multiple European festivals and their U.S. visas revoked, with British police launching an investigation.
This decision marks a significant shift in the BBC’s live music coverage, as the broadcaster pledges tighter compliance and on-site editorial oversight for future festivals.
