Lambrini Girls, Soft Play and more voice support for Bob Vylan and Kneecap following criminal investigations into Glastonbury sets
A wave of artists have come out in support of Bob Vylan and Kneecap following their provocative Glastonbury 2025 sets.
Last night, news broke that Bob Vylan and Kneecap are now formally under criminal investigation following their back-to-back sets at Glastonbury this past weekend.
The Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement: “This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our enquiries are at an early stage. The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes.”
“There is absolutely no place in society for hate. Neighbourhood policing teams are speaking with people in their local communities and key stakeholders to make sure anyone who needs us knows that we are here for them.”
Please see the statement below with an update on our investigation into comments made on stage at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday.
An accessible version of the statement can be found on our website: https://t.co/aSjbcIYSky pic.twitter.com/w1BM5Bg5b2
— Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice) June 30, 2025
Bob Vylan’s set – which preceded Kneecap’s on the West Holts stage – saw the rap-punk duo voice their support for Palestine, call out the BBC, Israel, the US and UK governments and more. Frontman Bobby also led chants of “death, death to the IDF”.
Kneecap’s full-capacity set – which was pulled from the BBC livestream coverage just hours before they went on – saw the Irish trio hit out at Keir Starmer and once again voiced their support for Palestine.
Following the news that the Avon and Somerset Police are now investigating Bob Vylan and Kneecap under possible criminal charges, several acts have spoken out in support of their fellow musicians.
In an Instagram Story, former NME cover stars Lambrini Girls wrote in support of Bob Vylan: “All good for bands to be political as long as it’s digestible and commidifiable. when it’s actually NEEDED and warranted and pushing against the true status quo – then time after time again, historically it’s proven that mass media and the government will villainise artists – look at Public Enemy, Nina Simone, Rage Against The Machine.”
“Art creates emotional resonance in ways that speeches or articles sometimes can’t,” they continued. “It’s why oppressive regimes often target artists, musicians, and writers FIRST. Art is one of the most powerful tools we have for activism, they go hand in hand. Don’t be fooled into thinking it was anything other than protest. Fucking free Palestine.”
Soft Play wrote: “Again the media is trying to distract you from the real story. The outrage sparked over our brothers Bob Vylan and Kneecap at Glastonbury is merely a smoke screen for the lack of reporting on the destruction of the Palestinian people. They are starving children, where is the media’s outrage at Israel’s continued obliteration of a whole nation? Israel are war criminals. Don’t let them distract you. Free Palestine.”
While Amyl & The Sniffers have already defended Kneecap and Bob Vylan following their Glastonbury sets, the band’s drummer Bryce has shared another statement: “Where do you think your anger should be directed? Are you uncomfortable hearing about genocide in Gaza? Take a beat and think about why musicians take plitical and social stances against injustices across the world. We have a platform that millions of others don’t, why expect everyone to be silent?”
Bryce continued: “Look at your politicians and government and how they respond to this. This conversation is once again distracted from the real issue of innocent Palestinians’ lives and family lines being obliterated. Have a think about who the real villains are in this story.”
Besides now being under criminal investigation, Bob Vylan have also had their US visas revoked – they were due to open for Grandson across a US tour later this year. Grandson has now shared his stance: “Censorship of art is a tactic of control. They blame artists and activists and not those who responsible for the conditions we rage against. From the death spiral of corporate greed and climate change to the genocide of Palestinian lives, the music and the artists are not the problem, we are the symptom of a sick world.”
He added: “As a Jewish artist, I am deeply offended by the conflation of criticism against a military force known for their indiscriminate violence with antisemitism. The Israeli government has done more to exacerbate antisemitism this past 2 years than any statements by artists advocating for Palestinian freedom and solidarity. Bob Vylan are the one feature on my album and that feature will go on. If they have the opportunity to come to the United States, they will join us on the ‘Inertia’ tour as planned.”
Additionally, Bob Vylan have also reportedly been dropped by their agent United Talent Agency (UTA) following the controversy. While the UTA has not acknowledged the alleged severing of ties, Bob Vylan’s pages on their artists sites have been removed.
Israel has been carrying out a full-scale military campaign on occupied Gaza for almost two years, since the October 2023 attack by Hamas at the Israeli music festival Supernova where 1,195 people were killed.
The UN has found Israel’s military actions to be consistent with genocide, and at least 56,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel has continually denied that what’s going on in Palestine is considered a genocide, and has argued that it has not partaken in any war crimes.
In other news, Kneecap will reportedly not face any further action for their alleged past comments against Conservative MPs. In May, it was reported that a video from a Kneecap concert in 2023 was under investigation by counter-terrorism police. It was claimed that the video in question contained footage one of the West Belfast trio allegedly said to the crowd: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
A rep for the Metropolitan Police said of the “Kill your local MP” case: “Given the time elapsed between the events in the video and the video being brought to police attention, any potential summary only offences were beyond the statutory time limit for prosecution. Relevant indictable offences were considered by the investigation team and, based on all of the current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time.”
The group’s Mo Chara however, has been charged with a terror offence for allegedly shouting, “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”, while also displaying a Hezbollah flag onstage during a concert, in support of Palestine in the ongoing Gaza-Palestine genocide.
He appeared at the Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18, where he was granted unconditional bail for the alleged Hezbollah-related charge, and will appear again in person at the court in August.
The post Lambrini Girls, Soft Play and more voice support for Bob Vylan and Kneecap following criminal investigations into Glastonbury sets appeared first on NME.
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