Bob Vylan Calls US Visa Revocation a Relief, Says Politics Ugly

(UNITED STATES) The British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan said their U.S. visa revocation was “a relief” after the U.S. Department of State canceled their ability to enter the United States 🇺🇸 following a controversial set at Glastonbury in June 2025. During the performance, the band led chants of “free Palestine” and “death to the IDF,” which sparked strong criticism from viewers and festival stakeholders. The decision by U.S. authorities effectively shut down the group’s planned American tour, and as of October 27, 2025, there has been no sign of a reversal.

State Department action and tour impact

According to the source material, the State Department revoked the duo’s visas after the Glastonbury performance, citing the pro-Palestine chants as unacceptable. The immediate effect was clear: the band’s U.S. tour was canceled, leaving venues and fans without dates.

Festival organizers and the BBC faced pressure and criticism; organizers later said they regretted not cutting the live stream during the set. In the days that followed, the incident became a flashpoint in public debate, with some calling the chants antisemitic and arguing they incited violence.

The practical consequences of a visa revocation are decisive:

• Foreign artists scheduled to perform in the United States must halt plans.
• Typical results include lost income, broken contracts, and uncertain timelines for rescheduling.
• In this case, the impact was immediate: canceled shows and closed doors in one of the world’s largest touring markets.

The band’s statements and the public reaction sit within a broader debate about speech at live events, particularly when it involves war, identity, and state actors. While “free Palestine” is a political slogan used by artists onstage for years, pairing it with “death to the IDF” — a reference to Israel’s military — created a different flashpoint. Critics argued that the latter crossed a line, shaping the backlash and pushing calls for consequences.

Band’s response and ongoing backlash

Lead singer Pascal Robinson-Foster said the visa revocation felt like “a relief.” In an interview on the Louis Theroux Podcast, he said the group doesn’t enjoy performing in the United States and called the country’s politics “ugly.” He remained unapologetic about the Glastonbury chants and challenged how authorities define antisemitic hate crimes.

Rather than seeking reinstatement, Robinson-Foster framed losing U.S. access as a burden lifted — a rare stance that contrasts with how many acts view the U.S. market. Still, the practical outcome remains the same: no shows in the United States, no ticket sales, and uncertainty for American fans who expected to see the duo onstage.

The fallout wasn’t confined to the U.S. Some performances in other countries have also been affected by public backlash, illustrating how modern touring is intertwined with social media and global news cycles. A single set at a major festival can shape a band’s reception far beyond one country’s borders. VisaVerge.com reports that the reaction to the Glastonbury chants followed the group across markets, complicating booking and promotion outside the United States.

Key facts from the incident:
– Event Date: Performance at Glastonbury in June 2025
– Action Taken: U.S. Department of State revoked the band’s visas
– Immediate Effect: The group’s U.S. tour was canceled
– Public Response: BBC and festival organizers later expressed regret that the live stream was not cut
– Current Status: As of October 27, 2025, no sign of a reversal

Official context and what comes next

The core facts are straightforward in the source material: the Glastonbury performance and chants, the strong public criticism, and the State Department’s visa revocation that canceled the tour.

For readers seeking official background on visas, the U.S. Department of State provides public resources explaining general processes and terms; see the department’s official U.S. visa information resources. This government resource offers authoritative materials for people who want to learn more about visas, including common topics and policy resources.

The controversy extends beyond music into wider discussions about speech, protest, and harm:

• Supporters view “free Palestine” as political speech.
• Critics point to “death to the IDF” as promoting violence.
• That clash shaped public reaction and, according to the provided details, contributed to the decision that cut off the band’s access to the American market.

From a practical standpoint, canceled U.S. dates force fans, promoters, and the band to move on with limited clarity. There is no timeline in the source material for any future review, and it states there are no indications the visa revocation will be reversed. That leaves a static picture: closed dates, closed borders for this act, and ongoing debate over the Glastonbury set.

The episode is also a reminder to artists and cultural workers that U.S. bookings depend on visa status at every stage. If a visa is pulled mid-cycle, scheduled performances stop. The source material underscores that reality without offering steps toward a solution, and the band’s own stance suggests they are not attempting to mend ties with U.S. audiences or authorities.

The Glastonbury organizers’ regret about not cutting the live stream highlights how broadcasters and festivals weigh risk in real time. Live events bring energy — and uncertainty. In this case, the organizers faced criticism for allowing the feed to continue, a decision that likely shaped how widely the clip spread and how quickly the backlash grew.

As of late October 2025, the situation remains unchanged: visas revoked, tour canceled, criticism ongoing. Robinson-Foster’s remarks on the Louis Theroux Podcast make the band’s position plain, and media and festival leaders’ reactions show how deeply the moment resonated. For now, the United States is off the touring map for Bob Vylan.