Calls to cancel Bob Vylan grow ahead of Boardmasters festival

Punk-rap duo Bob Vylan is set to take the stage at the Boardmasters music festival on August 10, despite mounting pressure from critics, government figures, and nearly 300 formal complaints demanding their removal.

The London-based group has come under intense scrutiny after leading anti-'Israeli' military chants during a June performance at Glastonbury, which aired on the BBC.

During the Glastonbury set, Bob Vylan chanted “death to the IDF” and made other politically charged remarks about Zionism and the situation in Gaza. The performance sparked backlash at the highest levels of government, including criticism from the UK Prime Minister, questions in Parliament, and a rare apology from the BBC for failing to cut the live feed.

In the weeks since, Cornwall Council has been flooded with nearly 300 complaints, many reportedly from outside the region, demanding the band be removed from the Boardmasters lineup. Councillor Dulcie Tudor described the scale of the response as “more than the most-controversial planning application.”

Critics have even taken to social media to call for the cancellation of Bob Vylan. One user stated, "Bob Vylan has had all his concerts for Europe, and the USA canceled. His career is over."

Bob Vylan has had all his concerts for Europe, and the USA canceled. His career is over. pic.twitter.com/3wAhi0meKv

— Israel Now (@neveragainlive1) July 2, 2025

However, the council has confirmed that any licensing hearing will only take place after the event concludes, citing regulations requiring a 20-day consultation period. Council leader Leigh Frost stated he would respond to each complaint and invite public participation in the eventual license review.

Dr. Ed Abrahamson, who filed the initial complaint, claimed the band has been dropped from festivals around the world, had its US visas revoked, and is under investigation by UK anti-terror authorities. He urged local officials to act, warning of the potential influence on young festivalgoers.

But Cornwall Council says only Devon and Cornwall Police have the authority to intervene, and the force has signaled it will not act to stop the show. In a statement, police emphasized their focus on event safety and confirmed performance decisions are up to the festival's organizers.

Boardmasters, for its part, defended its decision to allow the band to perform. A spokesperson stressed that the festival “does not tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence or behavior that puts anyone at risk” and had communicated clear expectations to the artists.

Following the uproar, Bob Vylan maintained that their message had been misunderstood. “We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people,” the band posted on Instagram. “We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine.”

Support for the band has also emerged within the music community. Artists, including Massive Attack and Brian Eno, have denounced what they describe as coordinated smear campaigns by pro-'Israel' advocates.

Despite the controversy, Bob Vylan’s set at Boardmasters is still scheduled to go ahead, with local authorities, festival organizers, and police on alert for further developments.