The Fallout From Worthy Farm

The repercussions were swift and severe. Avon and Somerset Police launched a criminal investigation into the chant, while numerous international performances were cancelled. Perhaps most significantly, the band’s US visas were revoked, effectively barring them from touring in the United States.

Vylan recently addressed the controversy in a candid interview on The Louis Theroux Podcast, unequivocally stating his lack of regret. “Oh yeah,” he responded when asked if he would repeat the chant. “Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I’m not regretful of it. I’d do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays. I’m not regretful of it at all.”

He further emphasized the disparity between the backlash he’s faced and the suffering endured by Palestinians. “It’s minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through,” Vylan stated. “If that can be my contribution…they’re the people that I’m doing it for, they’re the people that I’m being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I’ve upset some right-wing politician or some right-wing media?”

Criticism and Defense

The chant also drew criticism from Blur frontman Damon Albarn, who labelled it a “spectacular misfire,” and even likened Vylan’s stage movements to “goose-stepping in tennis gear.” Vylan responded sharply to this critique, accusing Albarn of a lack of self-awareness and dismissing the comparison as deeply offensive.

“I take great issue with the phrase ‘goose-stepping’ being used because it’s only used around Nazi Germany,” Vylan explained. “That’s it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting.”

The band has received staunch support from fellow musicians, notably Public Enemy’s Chuck D, who defended Vylan’s right to express his political views, stating, “when people say death to a country, they’re not saying death to a people. They’re saying death to imperialism, death to colonialism.” He famously added, “Bob Vylan ain’t got no tanks.”

Vylan believes the controversy, while challenging, has inadvertently amplified the conversation surrounding the Gaza crisis. He suggests the media focus on the chant itself opened a space for discussions about the underlying issues. “It allowed for that conversation to have a new life almost,” he said, “because unfortunately, people have short attention spans.”

Following their Glastonbury performance, Glastonbury organizers expressed their disapproval, and the BBC’s director of music resigned in the wake of the livestreamed set.

Bob Vylan has consistently maintained that their actions were intended to raise awareness and advocate for Palestinian liberation, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against injustice and clarifying that their chant was a call for the dismantling of oppressive systems, not a call for violence against any specific group.

The band recently released their single, ‘Sick Sad World,’ which directly addresses the controversy and criticizes political figures and media narratives. The lyrics take aim at Keir Starmer and the BBC, reflecting the band’s continued defiance.

What responsibility do artists have to use their platforms for political expression? And how should society balance freedom of speech with the need to avoid inciting hatred?

Frequently Asked Questions About Bob Vylan and the Glastonbury Chant