Hundreds write petition calling for Boardmasters to ban Bob Vylan
The council will hold a licensing hearing after a member of the public wrote to the authority on July 16 demanding a review of the festival
Hundreds of people have written to Cornwall councillors demanding that the authority intervenes to ban controversial band Bob Vylan from appearing at Cornish music festival Boardmasters next month. The punk band were hit by a backlash after chanting “death to the IDF Israel Defence Forces” during a BBC televised appearance at the Glastonbury festival last month.
It led to the cancellation of other festival appearances in this country and having their US visas revoked, scuppering an American tour. They have also been pulled as the support act on a European tour by Gogol Bordello after a promoter and venues refused to work with them.
The council will hold a licensing hearing after a member of the public wrote to the authority on July 16 demanding a review of the festival in light of the band’s appearance. However, due to legal timeframes the hearing won’t be held until after the festival takes place and Bob Vylan have appeared on the main stage on Sunday, August 10.
Dr Ed Abrahamson said in his submission to the council: “I’m writing to urge that you review the licence for Boardmasters in terms of conditionality regarding the stepping down of Bob Vylan. As you will see, they have now been cancelled by every single festival worldwide, by their own agents and they are under active investigation by the UK anti-terrorist force.
“As it stands, the sole venue that is platforming them globally is going to be Boardmasters at Newquay the band announced three September dates in the Netherlands on the same day Dr Abrahamson wrote to the council. You are the licence holders for this event.
“Now that we have a new council who have not been involved, I suspect in the licence granting for this event given the time it takes to plan and, in particular, the newly elected Reform members of the council, are you willing/able to intervene to the platform this hate band? Or are we going to see young Cornish people exposed and encouraged to join in with murderous chants?”
Since the licensing hearing was reported by the media, councillors representing Cornwall Council have been inundated with emails from members of the public asking them to intervene. At the time of writing, they had received almost 300 complaints. We understand that many of the emails have come from outside Cornwall.
Cllr Dulcie Tudor told us: “It’s got to be the most concerted campaign I’ve seen since being on the council. It’s more than the most controversial planning application.”
Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost has said he will respond to every person who has contacted him on this issue with the following statement: “Thank you for raising your concerns regarding this year’s Boardmasters festival. Cornwall Council has received an application to review the event’s premises licence. You may wish to add your views to the current licence review.
“This can be done by emailing [email protected]. You may also do so by writing to the Licensing Team, Cornwall Council, New County Hall, Truro TR1 3AY. Within your representation please state how you feel the current licence compromises the licensing objectives. Please ensure that representations are received by the Licensing Team by August 7, 2025.
“Cornwall Council will proceed with the review in line with the national legislation and guidance. You may also wish to raise your concerns directly with Devon and Cornwall Police.”
Despite pressure on the council to bring the licensing hearing forward before next month’s Boardmasters, it is unable to do so due to licensing hearing regulations. There are specific time periods from the point when the application is made and accepted to when a hearing has to take place.
That time period includes a 20 working days consultation period with police, environmental health, health and safety, planning enforcement and children’s services. That means it will fall after Bob Vylan have performed.
According to the council’s licensing department, the only organisation that has the power to intervene is Devon and Cornwall Police. However, the force has previously stated that decisions about who performs at the festival are down to the Boardmasters organisers and not Devon and Cornwall Police.
A spokesperson for the force said last week: “Every year we work closely alongside the Boardmasters organisers and a number of partner agencies in support of a safe and smooth-running festival. Police provide guidance and advice on areas including the law, licensing and safeguarding both before and during the event. We also deploy teams on the ground for the duration of the festival.
“Our priority is the safety of those attending, those working at the event and the local communities, and we will take proportionate action in relation to reported crimes or incidents. We look forward to welcoming Boardmasters back to Cornwall in August.”
Commenting on the licensing hearing, a spokesperson for the festival said: “We are working closely with the licensing authority and relevant partners to understand and respond to the issues raised. Following productive meetings with Devon and Cornwall Police and relevant partners from our Safety Advisory Group, we now have an agreed plan in place that ensures the event continues to meet the highest standards of safety, compliance, and community accountability.
“Boardmasters is committed to being a space where people from all backgrounds feel welcome and safe. We do not tolerate hate speech, incitement to violence or behaviour that puts anyone at risk, and we will continue to uphold these principles throughout the event and beyond.
“Our decision to proceed with the performance reflects a balance of factors, including the festival’s careful consideration of recent concerns, our ongoing dialogue with stakeholders and the band’s agreement to the terms of their participation. We have been clear with the band and their representatives about our expectations particularly the importance of maintaining a respectful and safe environment for everyone attending, working at or involved in the festival.
“Boardmasters remains focused on delivering a safe, respectful and well-managed event, and we will continue to engage transparently as the licensing process progresses.”
Following the Glastonbury controversy, Bob Vylan said they had been “targeted for speaking up”. An Instagram post stated: “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. We are a distraction from the story and whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.”
Other artists have come out in support of the band. Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Fontaines DC and Kneecap have announced the formation of a syndicate for artists speaking out about Israel’s military assault on Gaza, who they say have been subjected to “aggressive, vexatious campaigns” by pro-Israel advocates.
The musicians said their aim was to protect other artists, particularly those at early stages of their careers, from being “threatened into silence or career cancellation” by organisations such as UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI). UKLFI reported Bob Vylan to the police for leading the chant of “death to the IDF” during their Glastonbury set and officers are investigating. It also reported the BBC for broadcasting the set.