Bob Vylan to sue BBC over 2025 Glastonbury

Bob Vylan said on July 9 that it plans to sue the BBC over the broadcaster’s handling of the punk-rap duo’s 2025 Glastonbury performance, reopening a dispute that began when the set was carried live on BBC platforms. The latest move was reported by the Somerset County Gazette, which said the band is preparing legal action tied to the BBC’s response after the show. The dispute centers on a June 28, 2025 performance on Glastonbury’s West Holts stage. The BBC later said the stream should have been cut and described chants during the set as “antisemitic sentiments” that were “utterly unacceptable.” ### What is Bob Vylan suing the BBC over? The July 9 report said Bob Vylan plans to sue over the BBC’s handling of the band’s 2025 Glastonbury set, which was live-streamed by the broadcaster. The Gazette did not, in the excerpt available, detail the precise legal claim or say whether court papers had yet been filed. (somersetcountygazette.co.uk) The BBC’s role in the dispute comes from its decision to keep the performance online during the set and then publicly condemn what had been said on stage. The broadcaster later said it regretted not pulling the stream while the performance was underway. (somersetcountygazette.co.uk) ### What happened during the 2025 Glastonbury set? On June 28, 2025, frontman Bobby Vylan led the crowd in chants including “free, free Palestine” and “death, death to the IDF” during Bob Vylan’s West Holts stage performance, according to contemporaneous reports. The set was carried on a live BBC stream and remained available for hours afterward before being removed from on-demand availability. (somersetcountygazette.co.uk) The performance triggered wider fallout beyond the BBC. The Gazette reported that several Bob Vylan shows were later canceled, and another report said the band’s U.S. visas were revoked ahead of a planned tour. ### What exactly did the BBC say at the time? (somersetcountygazette.co.uk) In a statement published after the performance, the BBC said “millions of people tuned in to enjoy Glastonbury” but that one live-streamed performance included “deeply offensive comments.” The broadcaster said it respected freedom of expression but “stands firmly against incitement to violence.” (somersetcountygazette.co.uk) The same statement said, “The antisemitic sentiments expressed by Bob Vylan were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.” The BBC added that, “with hindsight,” it should have pulled the stream during the performance and said it would review guidance around live events. (somersetcountygazette.co.uk) ### Did police or the BBC take further action after that? Avon and Somerset Police later ended an investigation into the chants and took no further action because of what the Gazette described as insufficient evidence. After that decision, Bob Vylan said it hoped the outcome would inspire others to speak up. (somersetcountygazette.co.uk) The BBC also tightened its approach after the controversy. A later report said the broadcaster would stop showing “high-risk” performances live at Glastonbury following the row over Bob Vylan’s set. BBC director-general Tim Davie separately described the live broadcast of the performance as “a very significant mistake,” according to the Gazette. (somersetcountygazette.co.uk) ### What is the immediate next step now? The July 9 development is Bob Vylan’s stated plan to sue, not a reported court ruling or filed judgment. The most concrete next milestone is the band’s expected legal action against the BBC, while the broadcaster’s previously announced review of live-event guidance remains part of the record around the case. (somersetcountygazette.co.uk 1) (somersetcountygazette.co.uk 2)