Protest expected at O2 Forum as Kentish Town set to host Bob Vylan show
Despite recent performances by the "death to the IDF" group postponed in both Manchester in Leeds, the North West London show looks set to go ahead
British Jews and allies are set to protest this evening outside a Bob Vylan concert in Kentish Town, having called on the owners of the venue to cancel the scheduled performance.
The Stop The Hate advocacy group cited widespread community concern and a significant rise in antisemitic incidents following the punk duo’s controversial appearance at Glastonbury Festival in June.
During their performance at the UK’s largest live music festival in the summer, the group’s frontman engaged in an extended diatribe about a “Zionist” producer he had formerly worked with, before leading the crowd in chants of “death, death to the IDF”. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit subsequently concluded that “the content of this act, taken in the round, can fairly be characterised as antisemitic.” According to figures from CST, the day after Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance saw the highest number of antisemitic incidents recorded so far this year.
The O2 Forum Kentish Town is closely situated to north-west London’s large Jewish community, with some residents describing AMG’s decision to proceed with the event as “deeply reckless.”
To date, more than 1,000 people have written to the local council leader, and over
3,800 have contacted the Prime Minister, urging intervention.
In September, Bob Vylan’s frontman told a concert “F**k the Zionists! Get out there and fight them! Get out there and meet them in the street. Get out there and let them know that you do not stand by them”
AMG previously postponed Bob Vylan’s planned appearances in both Manchester and Leeds. However, they have refused to apply the same caution in Kentish Town, raising serious questions about double-standards when it comes to the safety and dignity of Jewish audiences.
Despite the event being scheduled in his own constituency, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not responded to the thousands of messages sent by concerned constituents.
Following Glastonbury, he stated publicly: “There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.”
A Stop The Hate spokesperson said: “Words are no longer enough. If the Prime
Minister recognises the danger of violent anti-Jewish rhetoric, he must act when it
arises in his own constituency. The community feels unprotected, unheard, and
dismissed.”
The organisation confirmed that it had formally written to Academy Music Group to request that the event be cancelled on public-safety grounds.
Its spokesperson added: “North London is drawing a line. When an event raises legitimate fears of fuelling anti-Jewish hostility, leaders must act not look the other way. Our community is tired of being told that concerns about antisemitism will
be ‘noted’ and nothing more. North London deserves protection, not platitudes. We
are calling for action, from the venue, from industry leaders, and from the Prime
Minister, because our safety and dignity are not optional.”
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