(AMSTERDAM, UTAH) Bob Vylan’s U.S. visa has not been revoked in 2025 over their remarks about Charlie Kirk, despite fast-spreading claims online and in some media. The British punk-rap duo’s frontman, Bobby Vylan, sparked outrage after a September 13 Amsterdam show where he referred to Kirk—who was fatally shot in Utah on September 10—as “an absolute piece of shit,” adding, “Rest in piss, Charlie Kirk, you piece of shit.” The band says the line was part of a political message, not a celebration of his killing. As of September 16, 2025, no U.S. government action on their visa status has been reported.
A prior reported visa action dates to 2024, when the Trump administration revoked the duo’s permission to enter the United States after their Glastonbury chants of “Death to the IDF,” which also triggered a UK police probe.
Why the distinction matters
The distinction between past and present matters here. In 2024, under President Trump, Bob Vylan’s ability to tour the United States was reportedly cut off. In 2025, after the Amsterdam comments about Charlie Kirk, there is no evidence of any new visa move.
Some headlines suggest a fresh “visa revoke,” but that is not supported by current records. The immediate fallout has come from venues and public officials in Europe, not immigration offices.
Venue fallout and local official reactions
Tilburg’s Poppodium 013 canceled the band’s September 17 concert, saying the latest onstage remarks “clearly cross a line” by “trivializ[ing] political murder,” and pointing to language that urged people to “go find them in the streets.” The venue said it had previously tolerated the duo’s activist style but concluded the comments no longer fit the platform it can responsibly provide.
- Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders urged police to arrest and deport the band; Dutch authorities have not announced action.
- In Amsterdam, city officials and the national public prosecutor have not issued statements.
The immediate consequences have been venue cancellations and public calls for action in Europe rather than any confirmed U.S. immigration move.
Band’s response and social media exchange
On social media, Bobby Vylan pushed back at claims the group cheered Kirk’s death. In a video posted the day after the show, he said:
“At no point during yesterday’s show was Charlie Kirk’s death celebrated… I did call him a piece of shit. That much is true. But at no point was his death celebrated.”
He also accused a reporter of twisting the moment into a celebration narrative.
Industry reactions and contrasting responses
The response across music has shown stark contrasts. For example, during a London performance, Coldplay’s Chris Martin asked the crowd to send love to Kirk’s family, reflecting a gentler tone as artists grapple with how to address a killing tied to U.S. political life.
The debate has widened into how far artists can go in condemning public figures without being seen as cheering violence—especially when the target was recently killed. Supporters of Bob Vylan say the comments were political critique rooted in punk tradition. Critics say phrases like “find them in the streets” risk harm and that mocking a death crosses a moral line.
How venue decisions typically unfold
The Tilburg cancellation offers a window into how these decisions unfold:
- Venues review footage and social posts.
- Staff and safety teams consult.
- Decision-makers weigh crowd safety and the venue’s duty of care.
- If they cancel: they issue a statement, refund tickets, and contact the artist’s team.
In this case, other Dutch officials stayed quiet while the online debate grew. That silence can be strategic while legal teams assess whether a comment could constitute incitement. Dutch and UK laws both allow prosecution for calls to violence, but enforcement depends on context and evidence.
Visa law context — what the rules say
From an immigration standpoint, the key point remains: there is no new U.S. visa action tied to the Charlie Kirk remarks as of September 16, 2025. But past actions matter: the reported 2024 visa revocation under President Trump still limits the duo’s ability to tour the United States.
- The legal basis for visa revocation is found in federal regulation at 22 C.F.R. § 41.122, which explains when and how consular posts can revoke a visa.
- In practice, revocation for speech alone is rare but possible if officials view the speech as supporting violence or tying to terrorism or hate crimes.
- Consular officers can revoke a visa even if the person is outside the United States; revocation notices can arrive without a formal hearing.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, touring artists often hold work visas that depend on ongoing “good standing.” If police or a venue report a credible threat tied to a performer’s words or actions, consular posts can reassess eligibility. That reassessment can include:
- A pause on future visa issuance
- Requests for more evidence about tour plans and security steps
- A decision not to issue a new visa at all
None of those steps have been confirmed in 2025 for Bob Vylan. But the earlier revocation still shapes their career because U.S. touring is a major revenue source for many UK acts.
What immigration officials typically consider
Consular officers look for patterns and context:
- Is the artist likely to repeat the same conduct?
- Did the artist apologize or clarify?
- Did venues cancel shows due to safety concerns?
Decisions are case-by-case. Consular discretion is broad and appeals are limited. Applicants often can reapply later if circumstances change, but their record since 2024 would be closely reviewed.
Political context and sensitivity
Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA and was known for firm conservative positions on immigration, abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and gun laws. Supporters viewed him as a defender of conservative values and a Trump ally; critics described him as a culture warrior whose rhetoric worsened division.
His killing in Utah has become a flashpoint, forcing public figures and artists to balance sympathy for his family with sharp political critique. For immigration officers, the politics are secondary; the legal question is whether an applicant meets statutory standards.
Legal thresholds and venue rules
The broader pattern across Europe shows venues writing rules that spell out when speech crosses into calls for violence. Those rules give bookers grounds to cancel quickly if a show veers into that area.
- The Tilburg decision cited “trivializing political murder” as conflicting with its duty to provide a safe space.
- Legal experts note phrases like “find them in the streets” can be interpreted variously; courts examine full context, intent, and likelihood of imminent harm.
- That helps explain why Dutch and UK officials may wait before taking action: they want facts, not viral clips.
So far, no new criminal probe has been announced in the UK or the Netherlands tied to the Amsterdam show.
What this means for Bob Vylan and similar artists
All of this leaves Bob Vylan in a familiar but tighter spot. The band has built a brand on blunt political talk—especially about Israel-Palestine and far-right figures—and argues their words are anti-fascist and anti-Zionist, not antisemitic. Critics disagree. The dispute has real consequences:
- Cancelled shows
- Reduced access to U.S. audiences due to the earlier revocation
- Political calls to bar them from stages
Here’s what to watch next:
- If more venues cancel, promoters across Europe could apply extra filters to punk and rap acts that court controversy.
- If police open a probe into the Amsterdam remarks, that could trigger further pressure.
- In the U.S., a new revocation would likely appear through notices to the artist or public statements if an arrest or airport denial occurs.
At this point, the record is clear: no fresh U.S. visa move has been reported in 2025 tied to the Charlie Kirk comments. Whether that changes will depend on evidence authorities see and whether future statements by the band cross legal or venue-set lines.
VisaVerge.com’s analysis recommends touring artists:
– Keep political speech within local legal bounds.
– Avoid direct calls that can sound like targeting.
– Work with promoters on safety plans so venues feel prepared if a crowd gets heated.
That won’t end the debate, but it may reduce the chance that a sharp line in a setlist turns into a canceled tour—or another call to revoke a visa.
This Article in a Nutshell
As of September 16, 2025, there is no evidence that Bob Vylan’s U.S. visa was revoked over frontman Bobby Vylan’s September 13 Amsterdam remarks about Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on September 10. The band maintains the comment was political critique, not celebration of the killing. Immediate consequences have been venue cancellations—Tilburg’s Poppodium 013 canceled a September 17 show—and public condemnation in Europe, including calls from figures like Geert Wilders. A prior visa revocation was reported in 2024 after Glastonbury chants. Immigration law (22 C.F.R. § 41.122) allows consular revocation in cases tied to violence or security concerns, but no new U.S. action had been reported by Sept 16. The situation highlights how venues, promoters and immigration officials separately assess risk, context, and legal thresholds before acting.
