Boardmasters licence at risk over Bob Vylan set

Bob Vylan's controversial appearance at Glastonbury prompted the calls for a licence review

Boardmasters could lose its licence at a review next week over the appearance of controversial rap-punk duo Bob Vylan last month.

Other options at Cornwall Council's licensing hearing on Wednesday include modifying the festival's conditions or suspending the licence for up to three months.

Hundreds of people urged the council to ban Bob Vylan from the festival - which it had no power to do, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Unrealised concerns included risks of crowd disorder, unrest and violence, following anti-Israeli military chants during a televised appearance at the Glastonbury festival in June.

Despite the concerns, Bob Vylan's set on the main stage went ahead without any unrest, the LDRS said.

The duo's singer Bobby Vylan told the crowd: "It was a little bit of a battle to get here."

The application to review Boardmasters' licence came from Andrea Lovett in July, who told the council the inclusion in the festival's line-up "undermines the licensing objectives".

Due to legal timeframes, the hearing could not be held until after the festival, which attracted more than 50,000 people.

Ms Lovett wrote: "Boardmasters Festival has a history of safety and crowd management challenges, notably in 2024 when a crowd surge resulted in seven hospitalisations, and a Cornwall Council health and safety officer raised 'serious concerns' about crowd management, traffic and welfare facilities being 'overwhelmed'."

She said she was concerned that Bob Vylan's appearance "heightens these risks, potentially exacerbating tensions or disorder".

Among other representations, Estelle Morris told the council she feared some members of the crowd might feel targeted and unsafe.

She added: "Many parents are extremely concerned about their children attending the festival this year."

The council also heard from people in favour of Bob Vylan performing at Boardmasters, including Julian Fairclough.

Mr Fairclough wrote: "Free speech is the fundamental right which separates free people from the oppressed and a venue that is prepared to stand up for this should be celebrated."

Referring to the appearance at Glastonbury, he added: "I don't think the band's comments were tasteful."

Kuldeep Colt Uppal said: "The more we try to ban free speech the more people will revolt."

No concerns were raised by statutory bodies at the Boardmasters Festival.

Devon and Cornwall Police said they were satisfied with the measures put in place by the festival organisers and Cornwall Council's child protection department had no concerns after safeguarding checks.