Archive · 26 Sep 2025
BBC Partially Upholds Complaints Over Bob Vylan's Glastonbury Set
Imagine a band called Bob Vylan played a concert at a big music festival.
During their set, they said some things that upset people.
Some viewers were upset at chants that used violent language.
The BBC, who showed the concert, checked to see if the band broke any rules.
The BBC agreed that some comments were against the rules.
However, the BBC decided the band didn't intend to hurt people.
Bob Vylan's comments are being investigated by the police.
The band has had a few problems because of the situation.
Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set led to complaints and investigation.
The BBC was cleared of the most serious breaches like inciting crime or breaking impartiality rules.
The BBC's Executive Complaints Unit found breaches of harm and offence guidelines.
The band’s reference to a "f*cking Zionist" was considered derogatory.
Bob Vylan faced consequences, including being dropped by their agency.
- Who
- Bob Vylan and the BBC
- What
- The BBC's Executive Complaints Unit examined complaints regarding Bob Vylan's controversial Glastonbury set.
- When
- June 28 (set); investigation ongoing
- Where
- Glastonbury Festival, UK
- Why
- Complaints were made about the content of Bob Vylan’s performance.
- Event
- Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set
- Complaint Details
- Four complaints examined by the BBC's Executive Complaints Unit
- Breach Found
- Harm and offense guidelines were broken
- Incident
- Chants of “death, death to the IDF” and “From the river to the sea”
- Additional Breach
- Reference to a "f*cking Zionist" was seen to breach guidelines.
- Consequence
- Bob Vylan dropped by UTA, U.S. visas revoked