Police are still investigating Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set, although they have dropped the Kneecap inquiry.
- Read More: Bob Vylan: “We’ve been screaming about these topics at the top of our lungs for years. Why has it taken this long?”
Back in June, it was announced that police were investigating both Kneecap and Bob Vylan’s performances at Glastonbury to decide whether any offences had been committed.
Now, a statement by Avon and Somerset Police confirms that they are dropping the Kneecap inquiry due to “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
However, the statement later confirmed that “enquiries continue to be carried out in relation to separate comments made on stage during Bob Vylan’s performance.”
Punk duo Bob Vylan played a headline-grabbing set on the West Holts Stage at the Worthy Farm festival, in which they voiced their support for Palestine, criticised Israel and led the crowd in a chant calling for death to the Israel Defence Forces.
The band’s Bobby Vylan led chants including “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]”.
The police did not specify which part of Bob Vylan’s or Kneecap’s sets were subject to criminal investigation.
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Bob Vylan will no longer be supporting Gogol Bordello on their upcoming European tour. This followed backlash regarding their “death to the IDF” chants. They have had shows in Germany and France dropped, their agents have reportedly cut ties with them, and their US visas have been revoked.
A BBC Music boss reportedly stepped down following the backlash against the Glastonbury gig being broadcast live, with the corporation describing Vylan’s comments as “offensive and deplorable”. They have also said they will no longer live broadcast any performances deemed “high risk” in the future.
However, several artists have spoken out in support of Vylan, including Lambrini Girls, Amyl & The Sniffers and Soft Play, as well as Massive Attack, who urged the media to focus on “what is happening daily to the people of Gaza”, and Chuck D, who said “we have to be able to fight for peace and love by any means necessary”.
Earlier this month, the band played their first show since Glastonbury at London’s The 100 Club and at one point during the set, a group of fans attempted to revive the “death to the IDF” chant.
As shown in footage captured by The Standard, frontman Bobby Vylan immediately pointed at those chanting and said: “No no no no no, you’re gonna get me in trouble. Apparently, every other chant is fine, but you lot will get me in trouble.” He then led the crowd in a chant of “Free, free Palestine”.
Meanwhile, Kneecap have responded to the police dropping their Glastonbury inquiry. Today (July 18), Kneecap shared a screenshot of an email that had been sent to their team by the Detective Superintendent at Avon and Somerset Police.
It read: “I am Senior Investigating Officer for Avon and Somerset Police’s investigation into Kneecap’s performance at the Glastonbury Festival on 28 June 2025.
“Following a review of the evidence, I have determined there will be no further action. I would be grateful if you could communicate this to your clients, and/ or advise me of an alternative way of contacting them. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.”
Kneecap responded in the caption, writing: “One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over.
“We played a historic set at Glastonbury. Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds. A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world’s most famous festival.
“Shortly afterwards we learn of an active police investigation. An investigation that followed after the Prime Minister himself said it ‘was not appropriate’ we played Glastonbury. Walk off stage to the rapturous sounds of good people and into the creaking scheming sounds of the establishment.”
The trio went on to say that the news of the investigation was “reported across the world’s media often with wildly misleading headlines”, adding: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close….yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
They then asked: “Why open and publicise an investigation into fuck all? This is political. This is targeted. This is state intimidation.
“After the media damage is inflicted and seen by millions of eyes – you receive a private email to say there’s no evidence and no action – that is seen by two people only. There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts.”
Kneecap signed off: “We will continue to fight. We will continue to win.”
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