Bob Vylan’s Album Re-Enters UK Charts After Glastonbury

Iconic punk-rap duo Bob Vylan—comprised of Bobby Vylan (vocals/guitar) and Bobbie Vylan (drums)—have seen their album Humble as the Sun re-emerge at the top of the UK Hip-Hop & R&B Albums Chart debut at number eight on the official independent albums chart, and rank number seven in the official album downloads chart. 

The resurgence comes in the aftermath of their Glastonbury Festival performance in late June 2025.

What Happened at the Glastonbury Festival

At Glastonbury on June 28, Bobby Vylan led a chant declaring "Death, death to the IDF," aligning with broader pro-Palestinian sentiment amid the Gaza conflict. The performance sparked political backlash, including condemnation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, co-organizer Emily Eavis, and the BBC distancing itself from the set. Avon & Somerset Police even launched a hate-speech investigation.

Yet Bob Vylan issued a statement saying they targeted “a violent military machine… not Jews, Arabs or any other race”.

Their U.S. visas were revoked, and festival bookings—including Radar Festival and Kave Fest—were canceled.

Nonetheless, Bob Vylan's 'Humble as the Sun' re-entered the charts, fans supporting them and music lovers discovering them after the Glastonbury festival. 

Bobby Vylan credited their independence, saying, “You can’t get dropped if you own the label”.

Various other artists supported the duo's stance, including Lambrini Girls, Amyl And The Sniffers, and Soft Play.

Bob Vylan’s experience lays bare the evolving music landscape, showing how political statements and controversy can directly translate into chart performance, especially for independent artists unbound by corporate labels.

It also underscores the fraught intersection of art, activism, and public sentiment in today’s climate, where music can spark global debate and alter a band's trajectory overnight.