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Bob Vylan are an English punk rap duo based in London. Their work merges elements of punk rock, hip hop, grime, and hardcore, and features criticisms of the British establishment, inequality, racism, sexism, and homophobia. The band consists of vocalist frontman Bobby Vylan on guitar, and Bobbie Vylan on drums, stage names the duo use to maintain privacy in what they describe as a surveillance state.[4] The group has released four albums beginning with their self-released 2019 debut EP Dread, followed by We Live Here in 2020, Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life in 2022, and Humble as the Sun in 2024. They have received favorable reviews from NME and The Guardian, among others.

Key Information

The duo are outspoken in their opposition to Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and actions in the Gaza war and genocide. They sparked controversy during their performance at Glastonbury Festival 2025 for leading the crowd in a chant of "death, death to the IDF", which was widely condemned, and resulted in cancellation of some shows, as well as their visas for an upcoming tour in the United States being revoked.[5][6] Following the controversy, their recent album Humble as the Sun (2024) topped the UK Hip Hop and R&B Album Chart and reached number 8 on the UK Independent Albums Chart. They repeated the chant at a September 2025 concert in Amsterdam, along with insults towards Charlie Kirk, who had been assassinated days prior.[7]

History

[edit]

The band was formed in 2017 by singer–guitarist Bobby Vylan (real name Pascal Robinson-Foster[8][9]) and drummer Bobbie Vylan (real name Wade Laurence George[9]) in Ipswich. They refer to themselves as "the Bobs".[citation needed] The band's name is a pun on Bob Dylan and "villain".[10][11][12] Their first concert followed just two weeks later. Bobby took part in slam poetry as a teenager under the name Nee Hi, receiving coverage from the BBC in the mid-2000s.[13][14]

In the first year of the band's history, Bob Vylan released four singles and two EPs, Dread and Vylan, via the band's own label, Ghost Theatre. Following the DIY principle, the musicians personally delivered their albums to various record stores and booked their own shows.[15]

The band released their debut album on 5 June 2020, We Live Here, which was self-released after the band said they were told that it was "too extreme" by the music industry.[16] Bob Vylan then toured supporting the Offspring and Biffy Clyro and performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2021.[citation needed] The band released its second studio album on 22 April 2022, Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number 18.[17] The band released two singles from their third studio album, Humble as the Sun on 27 October 2023. The album was released on 5 April 2024.[18]

A NME review of We Live Here (2020), noted the band's frustration with systemic injustices in the UK, including police brutality and "fear-mongering in the media".[19] Their third album, 'The Price of Life' (2022), became their most successful, debuting at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart.[20] Their subsequent album, Humble as the Sun (2024) received a favorable reviews in Spill magazine and Everything is Noise. NME said the album was "electrifying, experimental and empowering".[21][22][23]

Musical style

[edit]
Bob Vylan at Full Force 2022 in Ferropolis, Germany.

Bob Vylan combines grime rap with punk rock. Singer Bobby grew up listening to rap, grime, punk and indie rock. After learning the guitar, he wanted to incorporate all of his influences into his music. Their music is also influenced by Jamaican genres as a tribute to Bobby's Jamaican heritage; songs "Wicked and Bad" and "Health Is Wealth" on their album The Price of Life contain elements of dancehall and reggae.[24] Their music also contains elements of spoken-word poetry, like "Intro" on We Live Here and "Interlude" on The Price of Life.

The Sex Pistols' Johnny Rotten and Akala are cited as two of their musical influences. Rappers Dizzee Rascal, Stormzy, and Skepta are cited as influences by Bobby in particular.[25] Despite their stage name, the pair do not cite Bob Dylan as a musical influence.[26] In a 2024 interview with DIY, lead singer Bobby attributed a lot of his lyrical influence to the late Whitney Houston, with drummer Bobbie adding "Whitney was everything to me when I was a kid".[27]

Far Out describes Bob Vylan as a London duo blending punk, grime, and hip-hop into a "distinctive" and "scintillating" sound, pairing "righteously furious" energy with sharp, often humorous lyricism led by frontman Bobby Vylan.[28]

The American magazine Alternative Press recommended Bob Vylan for fans of Idles, Fever 333 and Turnstile.[29] Ian Winwood from UK magazine Kerrang! called Bob Vylan the most exciting and important punk band in the United Kingdom in 2022.[24]

Musical themes

[edit]

Common ideas found in the lyrics include social and political issues such as racism, police violence, economic inequality, access to healthy food, gentrification, mental health, fatherhood, late-stage capitalism, homophobia, toxic masculinity, Britain's political hypocrisy, and the pharmaceutical industry. The theme of the struggles of being a black man in Europe are recurrent in every album, and include the mental health struggles of black men, institutional racism that contributes to poverty in black communities, the threat of police, and the struggles of being a black parent in a world that threatens your children.[30]

Bobby described the duo as "violent punks" at the Glastonbury Festival in 2025, stating a need to get their "message across with violence", when they feel that is "the only language some people speak".[31][32]

Some of Bob Vylan's messages were considered too extreme by the contemporary music industry.[19] Their lyrics and on-stage talk often contain explicitly violent language, and an article in Recherches anglaises et nord-américaines described them as treading "the fine line between insight and incitement".[8] For example: one song says "kill the fucking queen" and another says "burn Britannia, kill the queen";[8][33] another song, titled "Lynch Your Leaders", has the line "come and see the hanging", and its artwork is an image of Queen Elizabeth II and a noose;[8][34] and in a music festival in Blackpool in 2023 Bobby said about the police: "The only good pig is a dead pig".[35][36]

Political activism

[edit]

The band's lyrics consistently address social and political issues, including racism and police violence, particularly those faced by Black men in Europe.[37] In an interview with Rocksound, Bobby discussed how their music references economic hardship, police interaction, and racism in the United Kingdom.[38] In an interview with the Guardian, Bobby Vylan explained that he uses his music to promote a "positive self-image". He recites affirmations with his daughter about his Black identity.[39]

Palestine

[edit]

Bob Vylan has been outspoken in their support for Palestine, a stance that has been central to their public identity. In a 2024 interview with The Guardian, frontman Bobby Vylan revealed that his support for Palestine is long-standing, stating that he attended his first pro-Palestine protest at the age of 15.[6] They criticised Idles and Sleaford Mods at a November 2023 show in Dublin, alleging that both groups called themselves left-wing but would not speak up for Palestinians.[40][39]

The duo were one of several acts at Glastonbury Festival 2025 to make statements in support of Palestine and against Israel during their sets, alongside the Irish acts CMAT, Inhaler and Kneecap. The duo performed in front of a screen that displayed "Free Palestine: United Nations have called it a genocide. The BBC calls it a 'conflict'."[41]

They gave a speech in Barcelona on 1 September 2025, praising the participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to break the siege on Gaza, as "brave individuals" acting where governments had failed.[42][43]

Achievements

[edit]

Bob Vylan has received significant recognition for their work, particularly for their 2022 album, Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life.[44] The album's impact was marked by significant chart success, debuting at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart and simultaneously topping the Official Vinyl Albums Chart, making them the first independent band to land a self-released album in the Top 20.[3] This achievement was complemented by major award wins, including Best Album at the Kerrang! Awards and the inaugural Best Alternative Music Act at the MOBO Awards that same year,[45][46] with a subsequent nomination in the same MOBO category in 2025.[47] The album was met with critical acclaim and the band's politically charged lyrics and fusion of genres have been praised by publications such as Clash, The Guardian, and NME.[48][3]

Their follow-up album, Humble as the Sun (2024), continued this trajectory of success. It reached number one on the UK Official Hip-Hop and R&B Albums Chart[49] and re-entered the UK Independent Albums Chart in 2025.[50] The album was met with critical acclaim, with NME describing it as "electrifying ... and empowering".[23] Kerrang! magazine describes the duo as "the most exciting and important punk band in the United Kingdom."[24]

Bob Vylan has performed at a number of major music festivals and on notable tours. They have appeared at Reading and Leeds Festivals, Coachella and Glastonbury.[45] They embarked on several headline tours and have toured across the UK on sold-out shows, including a sold-out performance at the Electric Ballroom in London in December 2022.[51] The band has also been a featured act at international festivals like Riot Fest in the US and Pukkelpop in Belgium.[52][53]

Controversies

[edit]

"Death to the IDF" chants

[edit]

Between songs at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival, Bobby called out to the crowd: "Alright, but have you heard this one, though? Death, death to the IDF!"[54][41][55] The chant led to widespread criticism and condemnation. Glastonbury Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis said she was "appalled" by the comments, which contradicted the festival's ethos of "hope, unity, peace and love".[56] A BBC spokesperson apologised for the "deeply offensive" content, removed it from streaming on BBC iPlayer[57] and that they "should have pulled [it] during the performance".[55] BBC staff members called for resignations over the broadcast.[58] Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy spoke to BBC Director-General Tim Davie to learn "what due diligence" the BBC carried out prior to broadcasting the act, given they had declined to broadcast Kneecap's set live amid similar controversy.[59][60]

Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the performance as "appalling hate speech".[61] Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the scene "grotesque", writing that "glorifying violence against Jews isn't edgy."[62] The Israeli embassy stated that the chants were "inflammatory and hateful rhetoric" and glorified violence.[59] Labour health secretary Wes Streeting described the chant as "appalling", and said the "irony of that music festival is that Israelis were taken from a music festival, killed, raped and in some cases are still being held captive".[63][64] Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis condemned the broadcast as "a national shame" and an example of "vile Jew hatred."[65][66] Avon and Somerset Police opened a criminal investigation into the band over the chant.[67][68] The US Department of State revoked the duo's entry visas ahead of a planned autumn tour.[69] United Talent Agency dropped the group as a client after the incident.[70] They were also removed from the lineups of Radar Festival in Manchester and Kave Fest.[71]

In a statement, the band said they believed they were being "targeted for speaking up" about the Gaza war.[72] Bobbie criticized the reactions in a statement: "They want to control this country's narrative to frame genocide as Israel defending itself".[73] The band also released a statement, writing, "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine.... A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza."[74] The bands Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., and Amyl and the Sniffers spoke in support of Bob Vylan.[75][76][13] Musician Grandson said, "As a Jewish artist, I am deeply offended by the conflation of criticism against a military force known for their indiscriminate violence with antisemitism."[77] Journalist Archie Bland wrote that the actions of the Israeli military were the "obvious" focus of the chant, and criticized the amount of coverage it received.[78]

After the festival, a video surfaced showing Bobby saying to the crowd at Alexandra Palace in London on 28 May 2025: "Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel. Death to the IDF".[79][80] The band's 2024 album Humble As The Sun surged back up the music charts, reaching the top of the UK Hip Hop and R&B albums chart as well as number 7 on the Official Album Downloads Chart and number 8 on the Official Independent Albums Chart.[50][81] At their first UK concert after the festival, at London's 100 Club, the crowd started to chant "Death to the IDF". Bobby urged them to stop, saying "you'll get me in trouble", and instead led a chant of "Free Palestine".[82]

The Community Security Trust, a UK charity that monitors antisemitism, reported that the day after the band's performance, saw the highest daily number of antisemitic incidents recorded in the UK during the first half of the year. The organisation described the chants as "utterly chilling", and noted how rhetoric against Israel can inflame antisemitic sentiment.[83] Home Secretary Yvette Cooper acknowledged the report's findings and affirmed that "government's commitment to root out anti-Semitism".[65]

The band led another "Death to the IDF" chant during a performance in Amsterdam on 13 September 2025. Bobby Vylan also told the audience "Fuck the fascists, fuck the Zionists. Go find them in the streets."[84] The Dutch Public Prosecution Service announced an investigation into the incident, which was condemned by multiple Dutch MPs across the political spectrum.[7] However, a court in Nijmegen later ruled that a scheduled Monday concert could proceed, rejecting a local safety authority's attempt to ban it on the grounds that the band's lyrics were "too offensive." The judge found no evidence that the performance would lead to immediate public disorder.[85]

Bobby Vylan was featured on Louis Theroux’s podcast in October 2025, during an interview one journalist described as "softball". Bobby stated that he did not regret leading chants of "death to the IDF" and would "do it again tomorrow." British Airways withdrew its advertising from the podcast in response.[86][87][88]

Charlie Kirk

[edit]

At the same Amsterdam concert, Bobby also referred to Charlie Kirk as a "piece of shit", just days after Kirk's assassination. He also mockingly dedicated the band's song "Chat Shit - Get Banged" to Kirk, accompanying the lyrics with a gesture mimicking a gunshot.[7][89][90] A subsequent Vylan concert in Tilburg was cancelled by the venue, which said that the statements "cross[ed] a line for us", citing the "trivialisation of political murder" and call to "go look for people in the streets."[84][91] Bobby later denied media reports that he celebrated Kirk's death, stating that his remarks were misrepresented, saying "I did call him a piece of shit, that much is true. But at no point was his death celebrated."[92]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions
UK[17]
We Live Here
  • Released: 27 March 2020
  • Label: Venn
 —
Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life
  • Released: 22 April 2022
  • Label: Ghost Theatre
 18
Humble as the Sun
  • Released: 5 April 2024
  • Label: Ghost Theatre
 22

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details
Dread
  • Released: 1 March 2019
  • Label: Ghost Theatre

Awards

[edit]
Award nominations for Work
Year Category Institution or publication Result Notes Ref.
2022 Best Alternative Music Act MOBO Awards Won This was the first year that the MOBO Awards had Best Alternative Music Act as a category [44]
2022 Best Album Kerrang! Awards Won For the album Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life [93]


References

[edit]
[edit]
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Bob Vylan

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bob Vylan are an English punk-rap duo formed in Ipswich in 2017, comprising vocalist-guitarist Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan, whose music fuses punk rock, hip-hop, grime, and hardcore with lyrics addressing racism, homophobia, toxic masculinity, capitalism, and police brutality. Operating independently through their label Ghost Theatre, the band has released albums including We Live Here (2020), Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life (2022), which peaked at number 18 on the UK Albums Chart, and Humble as the Sun (2024), noted for its critiques of economic inequality and advocacy for anti-colonial repatriation such as the return of historical artifacts. Their energetic live performances have built a dedicated following in the punk scene, but they have also sparked controversies, most notably in June 2025 at Glastonbury Festival where Bobby Vylan led crowds in chants of "Free, free Palestine" and "Death, death to the IDF," prompting UK police investigation for potential incitement, a U.S. ban on their performances citing glorification of violence, and accusations of antisemitism alongside defenses of their right to political expression.

Formation and members

Origins and lineup

Bob Vylan was formed in Ipswich, Suffolk, in 2017 as a duo consisting of vocalist, guitarist, and poet Bobby Vylan—real name Pascal Robinson-Foster—and drummer Bobbie Vylan. The pair adopted stage names derived humorously from Bob Dylan, eschewing personal biographical details to prioritize artistic output and privacy. Bobby Vylan, born around 1991, handles lead vocals, guitar, and lyrical composition, while Bobbie Vylan's identity remains private, with the drummer focusing on rhythm support. This minimalist lineup underscores the band's emphasis on direct, unadorned collaboration without additional members or elaborate production from inception.

Pseudonyms and biographical details

The band name Bob Vylan represents a deliberate phonetic and stylistic twist on the folk icon , selected for its irreverent, punk-infused humor rather than any affinity for Dylan's oeuvre, as the members have stated they are not fans of his work. The duo operates exclusively under stage pseudonyms—Bobby Vylan for the vocalist and guitarist, and Bobbie Vylan for the drummer—eschewing disclosure of legal names to obscure personal backgrounds and mitigate risks associated with their confrontational artistic persona. This approach aligns with their expressed concerns over pervasive and the potential fallout from public provocations, allowing focus on ideological expression without tethering it to individual identities. Verifiable personal details are minimal and often mediated through third-party reporting rather than self-provided narratives; Bobby Vylan has been identified by outlets including the and as Pascal Robinson-Foster, originally from in , , with early involvement in and immersion in London's DIY music circuits prior to the band's inception in 2017. The pair actively avoids furnishing traditional biographical timelines or family histories, framing such reticence as a rejection of celebrity-driven exposition in favor of unadorned artistic merit. This opacity contrasts sharply with the self-promotional transparency common among commercial acts, reinforcing their commitment to provocation insulated from personal vulnerability.

Career

Early releases and development (2017–2019)

Bob Vylan self-released their debut EP Vylan on Bandcamp on 26 November 2017, comprising five tracks: "Church of Vylan," "Dirt Nap," "Dying Hell," "Wake Up," and "Dirt Nap (Reprise)." The release represented their initial foray into recording, produced independently without external backing after facing industry rejections that prompted a DIY approach. The band supported this output with early live performances, beginning with their first show two weeks after formation and focusing on venues in , , to build a local underground audience amid the resurgent punk circuit. These grassroots gigs helped solidify their presence in the regional scene, drawing initial fans through raw, high-energy sets that emphasized their dual-member setup of guitar, vocals, and . By early 2019, Bob Vylan escalated their momentum with the self-released debut album Dread on 1 March, featuring eight tracks including "Intro," "Down," "Join Us," "Run Up," and "Grime Music Made Me Do It." Limited to digital and tour-exclusive physical formats initially, the album's distribution via Bandcamp marked a progression from EP-length experiments to a fuller statement, garnering notice from broader UK listeners and paving the way for national touring opportunities.

Mainstream breakthrough (2020–2023)

Bob Vylan's debut studio album, We Live Here, was released on March 27, 2020, marking their first full-length project following the 2019 mixtape Dread. The record featured a fusion of grime rap and punk rock, receiving attention within niche crossover audiences for tracks like the title song addressing racial tensions in the UK. A deluxe edition followed on February 12, 2021, expanding the original tracklist with additional cuts. In November 2021, issued the single "GDP," a three-minute track criticizing economic disparities and media coverage, which served as a precursor to their sophomore effort. This led to the release of Bob Vylan Presents The Price of Life on April 22, 2022, via Ghost Theatre Records, comprising 15 songs that further developed their rap-punk hybrid sound. The album's rollout included vinyl and digital formats, contributing to increased visibility in circuits. Touring activity intensified during this period, with headline shows across the and appearances at major festivals expanding their reach beyond local scenes. Notable performances included sets at Germany's Full Force Festival on June 24, 2022, and in on September 16, 2022, where they delivered tracks from both albums to international crowds. By April 21, 2023, a deluxe edition of The Price of Life was issued, featuring bonus material and reinforcing their growing presence in grime-punk and indie-punk communities through sustained releases and live engagements.

Recent activities and challenges (2024–2025)

In April 2024, Bob Vylan released their third studio album, Humble as the Sun, which featured tracks blending punk, hip-hop, and grime influences while addressing social and political themes. The album included singles previewed earlier, such as those released in October 2023, and received attention for its energetic production and lyrical intensity amid the UK's evolving punk and rap crossover scene. Throughout 2025, the band continued touring to promote their work, including planned headline shows under the "We Won't Go Quietly" tour banner. However, on October 23, 2025, Bob Vylan announced the postponement of performances scheduled for (originally November 5) and (originally November 4), rescheduling them to February 5 and 7, 2026, respectively, citing "political pressure" from figures including MP and regional groups. The band stated this pressure influenced venue and promoter decisions, disrupting their momentum in the domestic market. In Europe, Bob Vylan adjusted their 2025 itinerary after withdrawing from a support slot on Gogol Bordello's tour, announced in July, which both acts attributed to logistical complications. In response, the duo scheduled independent headline dates in select cities, aiming to sustain international engagement despite scheduling shifts. These changes reflected broader operational hurdles in coordinating large-scale tours across jurisdictions.

Musical style

Genre influences and instrumentation

Bob Vylan's sound is characterized by a fusion of , grime, hip-hop, and elements, resulting in a high-energy hybrid often termed "grime punk" by the band themselves. This style employs rapid tempos, distorted guitar riffs, and syncopated rhythms that blend the abrasive drive of punk with the percussive flows of UK grime and rap. Tracks typically feature aggressive, riff-heavy guitar lines layered over relentless drumming, creating a visceral propulsion without reliance on extensive production. Additional influences include and occasional soulful textures, as evident in acoustic-led compositions drawing from acts like Blur and Pixies. The duo maintains a stripped-down setup, with Bobby Vylan handling guitar, vocals, and poetic delivery, while Bobbie Vylan provides live drumming to anchor the intensity. This two-piece configuration avoids a full traditional , prioritizing raw immediacy through effects pedals, amplification, and occasional sampling to evoke grime's electronic edge and punk's DIY ethos. Guitar tones range from overdriven distortion for punk aggression to cleaner indie-inflected strums, complemented by drum patterns that mix straight-ahead punk beats with hip-hop-inspired grooves. The result is a lean sonic palette that amplifies urgency, as seen in live performances where sampled loops integrate seamlessly with acoustic instruments.

Lyrical content and themes

Bob Vylan's lyrics center on confrontational critiques of systemic social issues, including , police violence, , and toxic masculinity. In their 2020 debut album , tracks like the title song explicitly address faced by Black individuals in Britain, emphasizing everyday humanity amid historical and ongoing discrimination, such as references to the 1993 and groups like . The album's content draws from personal experiences of a "broken Britain," portraying righteous anger against institutional failures like poverty and . Police brutality emerges as a recurring motif, with lyrics decrying violence against Black men in Europe and broader calls to resist fascist elements, as in discussions of "punching Nazis" as a response to far-right threats. Capitalism and its effects, such as the cost-of-living crisis and lopsided , feature prominently, often framed through observed societal causal chains like late-stage exploitation exacerbating racial and class divides. The band's style employs raw, rap-infused delivery to provoke reflection on these inequalities, blending personal anecdotes with broader indictments of power structures. By their 2024 album Humble as the Sun, lyrical themes evolve toward wider societal and introspective critiques, incorporating mental health, economic hardship, and toxic masculinity alongside persistent anti-racism and anti-capitalist rhetoric. Songs explore masculinity's harms and myths around gender dynamics, using humor and empowerment to urge self-healing before collective action, while maintaining laments on Britain's racial and institutional failures. This shift reflects a maturation from the debut's intense personal venting to more layered examinations of individual agency within systemic constraints.

Political positions

Core ideologies and influences

Bob Vylan's core ideologies center on and , rooted in critiques of systemic exploitation and historical injustices faced by Black communities in Britain. The duo, comprising Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan, articulates a shaped by personal encounters with , such as childhood experiences with slurs and alienation, while asserting a defiant claim to belonging in a nation marked by empire's legacy. Their targets economic disparities, including rising living costs and predatory landlords, framing these as mechanisms of societal control that prioritize profit over human welfare, as evidenced in decrying "the price of life... on the rise" and exploitative housing practices. These positions draw heavily from UK grime traditions, which emphasize raw commentary on urban , police brutality, and class divides, as seen in influences like , , and , blended with punk's anarchic rejection of authority exemplified by bands such as and . Grime's cadence informs their portrayal of politicized Black existence, while punk provides a blueprint for uncompromised dissent against , , and institutional . This fusion extends to anti-imperialist sentiments, including calls for of cultural artifacts and critiques of Britain's "great" narrative as a facade for ongoing inequality. Advocacy for marginalized groups underscores an ethos of collective empowerment and self-affirmation, promoting resilience against oppression through messages of inherent worth beyond economic metrics, such as "Black is beautiful" drawn from civil rights legacies. Their anti-authority stance manifests in with global struggles against domination, viewing domestic fights against wealth hoarding and racial hierarchies as interconnected with international efforts, informed by Jamaican heritage and reggae's rebellious undercurrents. This holistic critique prioritizes individual agency within communal action to dismantle perceived systems of injustice, including far-right encroachments on , without endorsing violence but urging confrontation of root causes like and economic predation.

Public expressions and engagements

Bob Vylan's members engaged in pro-Palestinian activism prior to the band's formation in 2017, with one member recalling participation in demonstrations as early as age 15 to voice opposition to government actions. In June 2020, amid global protests against police violence, the duo released the EP and used contemporaneous interviews to decry persistent racism and police brutality in the , drawing parallels to international calls for systemic reform and criticizing national denial of such issues. By 2022, Bob Vylan highlighted racist policing in public discussions tied to their work, noting industry reluctance to promote content challenging due to its provocative nature. In a October 2023 interview, they elaborated on public complacency toward , observing how critiques once dismissed as extreme had gained broader traction. The duo aligned with anti-fascist sentiments inherent to punk traditions through gig performances and associations with like-minded acts, fostering connections in activist-oriented music circles by 2023, though specific collaborations remained informal within the genre's network.

Controversies

Glastonbury Festival 2025 performance

Bob Vylan performed on the West Holts stage at on June 28, 2025, during day four of the event held at Worthy Farm in . The punk duo's set included high-energy renditions of tracks from their catalog, marked by frontman Bobby Vylan's direct engagement with the audience through call-and-response elements. Midway through the performance, Vylan led the crowd in chants starting with "Free, free Palestine," which progressed to "Death, death to the IDF," rhyming with the prior phrase and amplifying the crowd's participation. This moment occurred live on a stream, which broadcast the set in full until the stream was later pulled post-performance. The chants aligned with the band's established pattern of incorporating explicit political messaging into their live shows, reflecting punk traditions of confrontational expression. Glastonbury has long hosted activist-oriented performances across its stages, with past acts using the platform for protest songs and speeches on global issues. On-site, immediate responses varied among attendees; some in the crowd enthusiastically joined the chants, while the set's intensity drew positive feedback from portions of the audience present for the duo's fusion of rap, punk, and hardcore elements. The 's choice to stream the performance live preceded any editorial review, capturing the unfiltered stage energy in real time.

Responses, investigations, and consequences

UK Prime Minister described the band's chants at on June 28, 2025, as "appalling " and called on the to explain its decision to broadcast the performance live. launched a into the Bob Vylan set, alongside that of the group Kneecap, on June 30, 2025, examining potential offenses related to the content of the performances. The State Department revoked the visas of Bob Vylan's members on June 30, 2025, citing their "hateful tirade" at , which included chants calling for "death to the IDF," resulting in a ban on performances and the cancellation of a planned North American tour. The band was subsequently dropped from a European tour on July 15, 2025, due to the ensuing controversy. A gig scheduled for September 16, 2025, at the 013 venue in , , was cancelled on September 15, 2025, after frontman Bobby Vylan's recent statements were deemed to have crossed boundaries by organizers. The duo postponed UK shows in and on October 23, 2025, attributing the decision to "political pressure." The Community Security Trust reported a spike in antisemitic incidents across the UK coinciding with the day following the Glastonbury performance, as detailed in its August 6, 2025, analysis of data from January to June 2025, amid broader trends of elevated reports. On October 25, 2025, British Airways suspended its sponsorship of The Louis Theroux Podcast following an episode featuring Bob Vylan's frontman, marking a further commercial repercussion.

Defenses and broader implications

In an October 20, 2025, interview on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Bobby Vylan expressed no regret over leading the "death to the IDF" chant at Glastonbury, stating he would repeat it "tomorrow" and viewing the backlash as "minimal" relative to the ongoing plight in Gaza and Palestinian territories. He framed the action as solidarity against military actions rather than targeting individuals or promoting antisemitism, emphasizing punk's tradition of provocative anti-establishment messaging to highlight perceived injustices. Critics, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, countered that the chant constituted "appalling" hate speech and potential incitement, arguing it crossed from political critique into dehumanizing rhetoric that could fuel antisemitic incidents, with some pointing to post-event spikes in UK antisemitic hate crimes reported by organizations like the Community Security Trust. The band rebutted such characterizations as misrepresentations, insisting the target was specifically the Israel Defense Forces' operations, not Jewish people or Israel broadly, and accusing detractors of conflating anti-militarism with prejudice to silence dissent. This debate highlighted tensions in punk's historical provocation—rooted in challenging power structures—versus contemporary boundaries where lyrics or chants are scrutinized for real-world causal links to violence or discrimination, though empirical evidence tying the specific performance to measurable hate spikes remains contested and not conclusively established in peer-reviewed analyses. The controversy spurred broader discussions on balancing artistic freedom with accountability in the music industry, with defenders arguing that swift repercussions—like the U.S. State Department's visa revocation on July 1, 2025, agency UTA dropping the band on June 30, 2025, and cancellations such as Manchester's Radar Festival in July 2025—exemplify overreach akin to censorship, potentially chilling political expression in genres like punk and hip-hop. Critics maintained these measures reflect necessary accountability for platforms and promoters facing legal risks under hate speech laws, citing the UK's ongoing criminal investigation as evidence that unprotected speech incurs consequences without infringing core free expression rights. In October 2025, several UK gigs were postponed amid venue pressures, illustrating how industry self-regulation can amplify official actions, though the band and supporters decried it as a "distraction" from Gaza's humanitarian crisis rather than genuine accountability. These events underscore ongoing free speech tensions, where empirical precedents like past punk bans (e.g., The Sex Pistols' 1977 fallout) contrast with modern scrutiny amplified by social media and geopolitical sensitivities.

Discography

Studio albums

Bob Vylan's debut studio album, , was released on 5 June 2020 through Venn Records. The follow-up, Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life, came out on 22 April 2022 via the band's Ghost Theatre label and debuted at number 18 on the . Their third studio album, Humble as the Sun, followed on 5 April 2024, also on Ghost Theatre, reaching a peak of number 22 on the .
AlbumRelease dateLabelUK Albums Chart peak
5 June 2020Venn Records—
Bob Vylan Presents the Price of Life22 April 2022Ghost Theatre18
Humble as the Sun5 April 2024Ghost Theatre22

Extended plays and singles

Bob Vylan's initial extended plays were self-released through their Ghost Theatre label. The debut EP Vylan, comprising five tracks including "Church of Vylan" and "Dirt Nap," was issued digitally on November 26, 2017. This was followed by the three-track EP on March 25, 2018, featuring "Lunch" and "Frontline." Both EPs were available primarily in digital formats via , reflecting the duo's independent early output before wider distribution deals. Subsequent non-album singles emerged alongside album promotions, often in digital formats. Early efforts in 2017–2018 included standalone tracks like "Cannon Fodder," supporting the foundational EPs. More recent singles, tied to 2024's Humble as the Sun and beyond, encompass "Makes Me Violent," released March 3, 2024, as a lead promoter emphasizing raw energy. In 2025, "Dream Bigger," "KILLING PUNK," and "Sick Sad World" (October 10) followed, the latter critiquing societal malaise in a single-track digital release. These tracks, distributed via streaming platforms, highlight the band's shift toward broader punk-rap fusion without full-length commitments.

Reception and impact

Critical and commercial reception

Bob Vylan's albums have received praise in indie and punk outlets for their fusion of punk, grime, and hip-hop, with Humble as the Sun (2024) lauded for its "top-notch production and strong vocal and songwriting abilities" that culminate in a potential "masterpiece." Reviewers have highlighted the record's melodic hooks and bold instrumentation as vehicles for social messaging, earning it a 4/5 rating as an "abrasive" state-of-the-nation address reflecting modern cultural mish-mash. Earlier work like Bob Vylan Presents The Price of Life (2022) has been commended for its "beautifully messy mash-up" of Blink-182-style rock, Rage Against the Machine influences, and punk energy. Live performances have garnered acclaim for their visceral, high-energy delivery, with critics describing shows as "politics-driven punk rap [that] packs a punch" and effectively spotlighting societal inequalities through intense, attitude-filled sets. The duo's festival appearances, including slots at Reading & Leeds and support for acts like , have contributed to niche success in the punk-rap scene. Commercially, Bob Vylan achieved a peak of top 20 with The Price of Life in 2022, alongside consistent streaming and sales in hip-hop and indie categories. Humble as the Sun reached number one on the UK Official Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart upon re-entry in July 2025, alongside positions of number seven in album sales, number three in the indie , and number 11 in Scottish albums, driven by heightened fan engagement. Reviews of the band's provocative style are mixed, with some praising the "unrestrained angry " and boldness in addressing , classism, and , while others critique it as occasionally "overwhelmed by its sprawl" or lyrically self-indulgent compared to prior releases. Following 2025 developments, bookings faced a reported dip, yet streams and sales indicated sustained loyalty among core fans.

Cultural influence and criticisms

Bob Vylan's fusion of punk rock aggression with UK grime and hip-hop elements has contributed to the niche evolution of hybrid genres within London's underground music scenes, echoing the confrontational ethos of 1970s punk while integrating contemporary urban influences from artists like and . This stylistic blend, rooted in the duo's origins and Jamaican heritage, has fostered discussions on genre boundaries and political expression in music, positioning them as exemplars of raw, unfiltered in a landscape often criticized for . Their work has highlighted trends where musicians leverage platforms for , potentially inspiring smaller acts to prioritize lyrical confrontation over mainstream accessibility, though their fanbase remains comparatively limited outside dedicated punk-rap circles. Frontman Bobby Vylan's advocacy for greater representation in punk— a genre historically underrepresented by Black and mixed-race artists— has amplified conversations on diversity, emphasizing personal narrative and cultural authenticity drawn from , , and grime traditions. By achieving milestones such as a top 20 album and a 2022 MOBO Award for Best Alternative Music Act, Bob Vylan has demonstrated viability for politically charged hybrid acts, encouraging underground persistence amid industry skepticism toward overt radicalism. This has subtly revived interest in music as a vehicle for systemic critique, aligning with punk's legacy of challenging authority through performance. Criticisms of Bob Vylan's approach center on their inflammatory rhetoric, which has alienated segments of audiences and venues, resulting in tangible professional setbacks such as gig postponements and cancellations beyond initial incidents. For instance, a planned concert was deferred to 2026 following objections from Jewish community leaders and politicians citing safety concerns over the duo's prior statements. Similarly, a Dutch performance was axed in September 2025 after Bobby Vylan's onstage comments mocking the assassination of conservative figure , with organizers deeming the remarks "offensive and insensitive." These events underscore accusations that their unyielding style prioritizes provocation, potentially exacerbating cultural divides rather than bridging them, as reflected in the BBC's partial upholding of over 1,000 viewer complaints regarding harm and offense in their broadcasts. Debates surrounding the band's authenticity versus perceived performative outrage have intensified, with defenders like Public Enemy's framing their as metaphorical calls against , while detractors highlight the literal phrasing's role in inciting backlash and operational bans, including U.S. performance restrictions. This polarization illustrates broader tensions in protest music, where empirical fallout—such as revoked tour support from acts like citing misalignment with anti-oppression values—questions whether such tactics sustain long-term influence or self-isolate within echo chambers. Critics argue the approach risks conflating personal conviction with audience endangerment, evidenced by heightened security demands and public outrage metrics post-performances, though the duo maintains their stance aligns with punk's disruptive core.

References

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