Bob Vylan Drops Out of European Tour with Gogol Bordello After Controversy

Bob Vylan has officially withdrawn from supporting Gogol Bordello on their upcoming European tour, as announced by both bands. This decision follows a controversial performance at the Glastonbury Festival last month, during which Bob Vylan expressed support for Palestine and criticized Israel, leading to significant backlash.

The punk rap duo revealed their decision on Instagram on July 14, 2023, stating, “Due to logistical complications, we have decided not to join our friends Gogol Bordello on their upcoming European tour.” They confirmed plans to perform in Europe later in the year at various festivals and headline shows, teasing more announcements soon.

Following Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance, a music venue in Cologne, Germany, declared it would no longer support Gogol Bordello’s scheduled appearance there in the autumn. In response, Gogol Bordello issued a statement clarifying that the decision to remove Bob Vylan from the Cologne show was “not our decision and beyond our control.” They added, “In the aftermath, we needed to evaluate the situation, and we decided to remove BV from the tour until we could fully comprehend the situation.”

The band mentioned that discussions were reopened after Bob Vylan provided a more detailed explanation of their stance. Ultimately, they concluded that further collaboration during the tour would be “logistically impossible … given the circumstances.” They emphasized their commitment to finding a resolution and highlighted their diverse membership, noting that they “celebrate international understanding” and value freedom of speech.

Gogol Bordello is set to begin their European tour in September, culminating with UK dates, including a performance at the Electric Ballroom in London on November 1, 2023.

The fallout from the Glastonbury performance has been significant for Bob Vylan. Since that set, they are under criminal investigation, have had their US visas revoked, and were removed from their headline slot at Manchester’s Radar Festival. Reports indicate that their management has also severed ties with the duo.

In a recent interview, musician Damon Albarn criticized Bob Vylan’s comments, labeling them as “one of the most spectacular misfires I’ve seen in my life.” Conversely, the duo has received support from notable figures such as Chuck D and the band Massive Attack, with the latter urging media attention towards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Bob Vylan performed their first UK show since Glastonbury at London’s 100 Club last week. During this performance, they addressed the controversy by urging fans to refrain from chanting “death to the IDF.” They clarified their position in a statement, affirming, “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.” They emphasized the need to focus on the broader humanitarian issues rather than the distractions surrounding their performance.

As both bands navigate this complex situation, the impact of their statements and actions continues to resonate within the music community and beyond.