Punk duo Bob Vylan has responded strongly to backlash and political criticism ahead of their set at this year’s Boardmasters Festival in Newquay, Cornwall. The band, known for their provocative performance at Glastonbury Festival that sparked widespread controversy, faced multiple cancellations worldwide, but will still appear on Boardmasters’ main stage this Sunday under strict content guidelines.
The controversy began after Bob Vylan led chants of “death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]” during their Glastonbury appearance on June 28, which was broadcast live on the BBC iPlayer. Following this, their planned European tour, US shows, and other festival appearances were canceled, with the band also having their US visas revoked and being dropped by their management agency, United Talent Agency.
Despite the backlash, Boardmasters Festival organizers stood by their decision to keep Bob Vylan on the lineup. In a detailed public statement, the festival emphasized their independence from external investors and affirmed their commitment to providing a safe space for free speech without hate speech or incitement to violence. The statement also condemned the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and confirmed donations from the Boardmasters Foundation to aid Palestinian victims.
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Singer Bobby Vylan addressed the criticism on social media, promoting the duo’s upcoming show at Torquay’s Burn It Down Festival on August 28, writing: “Politicians and lobby groups have cried their eyes out this week about us playing a festival in the same area so we figured what better way to treat them than by coming back a couple weeks later to headline one.”
While Bob Vylan prepares to perform, another punk group, The Menstrual Cramps, has pulled out of Boardmasters. Citing the festival’s allowance of Israeli surfers and connections to companies involved with Israel, the Bristol-based band expressed that these factors conflict with their beliefs, leading to their withdrawal despite having dreamed of playing the festival for years.
Boardmasters, running through August 10, remains a focal point in cultural discussions surrounding art, politics, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, balancing support for artistic expression with the complex sensitivities of the global community.