Ipswich formed Bob Vylan spark controversy at Glastonbury

Festival organisers has said it is “appalled” by the statements made by Bobby Vylan, of punk duo Bob Vylan, during their set on Saturday.

During the set, performer Bobby led crowds on the festival’s West Holts Stage in chants of “death, death to the IDF”.

Somerset Police said it would review footage of comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage.

They added: “Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation.”

The band was formed in Ipswich in 2017 with singer and guitarist Bobby partly growing up in the town and recently describing himself as a Chantry “council estate kid”.

Alongside drummer Bobbie, who hails from east London, the pair recently headlined Brighten the Corners Festival in Ipswich on June 16.

The rapper has been criticised for leading the crowd in chants of death, death to the IDF. (Image: Yui Mok/PA) They use stage names to maintain their privacy and are well known for creating politically driven music. 

Glastonbury Festival said the chants crossed a line. (Image: Yui Mok/PA) A post on Instagram by Glastonbury Festival said: “As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in – and actively campaign for – hope, unity, peace and love.

"Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”

Police say they are reviewing footage of performances on the Holts Stage. (Image: Ben Birchall/PA)

Wes Streeting described the chants as appalling. (Image: Lucy North/PA) As police examine videos of their comments, Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said chants of “death” to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) at Glastonbury were “appalling” and that the BBC and festival have “questions to answer”.

He added: “The fact that we saw that chant at a music festival, when there were Israelis at a similar music festival who were kidnapped, murdered, raped, and in some cases still held captive, whether it’s a Palestinian or an Israeli, whether it’s a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim, all life is precious."