Music act Bob Vylan has been dropped from the lineup of a Manchester music festival in the wake of controversy.
The rap duo were set to headline the Radar Festival at the city’s Victoria Warehouse on Saturday, but organizers posted to social media that they will not make an appearance. The group told fans in response on Instagram Wednesday: “Manchester, we will be back.”
Bob Vylan had been scheduled to play a French music festival, Kave Fest, on Sunday, but a spokesperson told the BBC that won’t be happening either. An appearance at a gig in Germany will also no longer go ahead as planned in September.
It comes after the British act sparked outcry at Glastonbury Festival for chanting “death, death to the IDF [Israeli Defense Forces]” on the West Holts stage last week.
Glastonbury organizer Emily Eavis condemned the “utterly unacceptable” statements made during the set and the BBC, TV partner of the festival, released a statement expressing “regrets” over not pulling the livestream as “antisemitic sentiments” aired. ““The BBC respects freedom of expression but stands firmly against incitement to violence,” the statement said. “The team were dealing with a live situation, but with hindsight, we should have pulled the stream during the performance. We regret this did not happen.”
U.K. prime minister Keir Starmer called the chants “appalling hate speech,” and the band’s U.S. visas have been revoked in light of their “hateful Glastonbury tirade.” They were dropped by the United Talent Agency earlier this week, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
Bob Vylan responded to the controversy via Instagram on Tuesday, saying they felt like they’d been “targeted for speaking up.”
“We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine,” Bob Vylan said, adding: “We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story, and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.”
Glastonbury Festival was a politically charged event this year with various acts using the opportunity on stage to express their own views. Olivia Rodrigo wrapped up this year’s fest with a raucous headline set Sunday night.
