Bob Vylan, a punk rock band from Britain, has found itself at the center of a controversy after one of its members called for “death” to Israel’s army during a festival performance. The police in Britain have launched an investigation into the incident, while the US State Department has revoked visas for the band, preventing them from playing their planned American tour.
The band, which consists of singer Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan, uses pseudonyms and deliberately obscures its personal details. However, sources have identified Bobby Vylan as Pascal Robinson-Foster, a former performance poet from Ipswich. The band’s music is characterized by fast-paced, politically provocative songs that tackle topics such as poverty, landlords, and the British monarchy.
During their recent Glastonbury festival performance, Bob Vylan led chants of “Death, death to the I.D.F.” in reference to Israel’s army, which was met with a mixed reaction from the crowd. The band’s provocation has drawn comparisons to punk rock’s formative bands, such as the Sex Pistols.
The controversy surrounding Bob Vylan is not new, as the band has previously expressed support for the Palestinian cause and chastised other punk bands that did not show solidarity with Palestinians. In 2021, the band altered its track “Pretty Songs” to include lyrics criticizing Israeli policies.
With their US visas revoked, Bob Vylan will no longer be able to play their planned fall American tour. The band’s future is now uncertain, but they have stated that their goal is not to incite violence against any group, but rather to dismantle a violent military machine.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/arts/music/bob-vylan-glastonbury.html