Glastonbury has long been known as a place where music, freedom, and expression collide—but this weekend, that spirit felt like it took a dark turn.
What started out as another exciting Saturday at the iconic festival quickly spiraled into something much more serious, raising questions about the limits of free speech, the role of artists, and the responsibility of festival organisers.
A Mysterious Instagram Post Sparks a Rush
It all kicked off with an unexpected Instagram post from the West Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap, known for stirring political controversy.
At around 1pm—three hours before their scheduled performance—the group cryptically warned fans to “get there early.”
That cryptic message had a sense of urgency, and even as someone who isn’t a fan of the band, I knew I had to see what they were planning, especially after one of the members, Liam Ó hAnnaidh, had recently been charged with a terror-related offence.
What I Walked Into Was Not What I Expected
I made my way to the West Holts stage by 2:30pm to secure a decent view.
But what I found wasn’t Kneecap at all—it was Bob Vylan, the fiery frontman of punk duo Bob Vylan, already performing for a crowd of thousands.
What shocked me wasn’t just the size of the audience, but the intensity of what was unfolding.
A Chant That Turned Chilling
Vylan was performing in front of a backdrop of waving Palestinian flags, but things quickly escalated.
In a moment that caught me—and many others—off guard, he launched into a fiery rant against what he called “Zionist” music executives.
He accused them of trying to silence Kneecap and followed it up with chants of “Free, free Palestine.”
But the moment turned disturbing when he led the crowd in chanting “Death, death to the IDF.”
It was jarring. I stood frozen in disbelief.
What stunned me even more was the crowd’s reaction: loud cheers, raised fists, and not a trace of unease around me.
After more than 20 years of reporting from Glastonbury, this was the first time I felt genuinely uncomfortable.
Was It All Planned? A Deeper Link Between the Acts
It’s hard not to question whether this moment was staged.
Kneecap, who were angry at the BBC for refusing to live-stream their set, may have purposely encouraged fans to show up early—just in time for Bob Vylan’s set, which was broadcast live.
The two acts have a history of collaboration and camaraderie, often interacting on social media since their mutual crowd-surfing stunt in 2022.
Could they have timed it all so that Bob Vylan’s political outburst would get maximum exposure?
The Fallout for Glastonbury and the BBC
The BBC is now facing backlash for airing such an inflammatory moment, with critics questioning how such language was allowed on live television.
And as for Glastonbury, this isn’t just a PR issue—it’s a wake-up call.
The festival, created as a celebration of music and peace, is now facing claims of becoming a vehicle for extreme political messaging.
A Turning Point for Sir Michael Eavis and Glastonbury’s Future
This moment should be a line in the sand for Sir Michael Eavis, the founder and spiritual figurehead of Glastonbury.
If he wants to preserve the festival’s reputation as a place of unity and joy, he’ll need to make some tough decisions moving forward.
Because if incidents like this continue unchecked, it’s not just reputations at stake—it’s the soul of Glastonbury itself.
