Punk-rock duo Bob Vylan have postponed two UK gigs, citing “political pressure” following controversy over an anti-Israel chant at Glastonbury. The band’s Manchester show, originally part of their 2025 tour, has been moved to February 5 2026, while the Leeds date is rescheduled for February 7 2026.
The group led chants of “death, death to the IDF” at the festival in June, a moment broadcast live by the BBC. Jewish leaders and MPs subsequently called for the Manchester gig to be cancelled. In an Instagram post on Thursday, Bob Vylan said: “Due to political pressure from the likes of Bridget Phillipson and groups in the North West of England, we have had to reschedule our Leeds and Manchester shows.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson had said universities have powers to “take action to prevent harassment and intimidation” ahead of the Manchester Academy show, which is on the University of Manchester campus. The Jewish Representative Council (JRC) of Greater Manchester and Region had demanded the gig be cancelled, calling the venue’s lack of response after a synagogue attack on October 2 “utterly unforgiveable”.
The band were dropped from several festivals and performances over the summer, including Radar festival and a German show, and had their US tour cancelled after visas were revoked. Frontman Bobby Vylan told the Louis Theroux Podcast this week he was “not regretful” of the chant and would “do it again tomorrow”. BBC director-general Tim Davie previously called the decision to broadcast the set live “a very significant mistake”.
