Punk duo Bob Vylan face a second police investigation after allegedly calling for "death to every single IDF soldier out there" at a London concert one month before their controversial Glastonbury performance. The Metropolitan Police confirmed they are examining footage from the pair's appearance at Alexandra Palace in May.
The investigation follows an existing probe by Avon and Somerset Police into the duo's Glastonbury set, where rapper Bobby Vylan led crowds in chants of "death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" during their livestreamed performance at the Somerset music festival last weekend.
Met Police examine May concert footage
In video footage from Alexandra Palace, Bobby Vylan, whose real name is reportedly Pascal Robinson-Foster, 34, appears to tell crowds: "Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF." The pair had supported Iggy Pop at the London venue on his tour on 28 May, a month before Glastonbury.
A Met Police spokesperson said on Wednesday: "Officers are investigating comments allegedly made during a concert at Alexandra Palace earlier this year. The decision to investigate follows the emergence of footage which appears to have been filmed at the venue on 28 May 2025." It is not clear when the investigation was launched.
Festival cancellation follows controversy
The probe comes after it was revealed Bob Vylan will no longer play Radar festival in Manchester. The duo were due to headline the Saturday slot but no longer appear in the line-up.
A statement posted on Radar festival's Instagram account said: "Bob Vylan will not be appearing at Radar festival this weekend." It has since updated its website, changing the Saturday slot to "Headliner TBA" (to be announced).
Group responds to festival withdrawal
In response, the group shared the festival's statement on their Instagram story, adding the caption: "Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester we will be back." The rap group had issued a statement on Tuesday claiming they were being "targeted for speaking up" after Avon and Somerset police began its investigation.
The BBC has also faced criticism for livestreaming the set and has since apologised, describing the chants as "antisemitic sentiments" that were "unacceptable". It later emerged BBC director-general Tim Davie was at Glastonbury while the performance was being livestreamed.
International consequences emerge
A BBC spokesperson said: "The director-general was informed of the incident after the performance and at that point he was clear it should not feature in any other Glastonbury coverage." On Monday, the group were banned from entering the US, ahead of their tour, with deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau revoking the duo's visas for their "hateful tirade at Glastonbury".
They have also been pulled from their upcoming performance at a German music venue. Bob Vylan are expected to perform at the Boardmasters surfing and music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, in August.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
