Wolf Alice have said that media outrage over Bob Vylan and Kneecap speaking about Palestine is a “distraction technique”.
- READ MORE: Bob Vylan: “We’ve been screaming about these topics at the top of our lungs for years. Why has it taken this long?”
Their comments come after Bob Vylan’s performance at this year’s Glastonbury saw them voice their support for the people of Palestine and display strong criticism for the Israeli government, including leading a chant of “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]”.
Since, there’s been a slew of media outrage, and the duo have had multiple shows cancelled, their agents reportedly cut ties with them, their US visas revoked, and they will no longer be supporting Gogol Bordello on a European tour.
The set is currently under investigation by Avon and Somerset Police, who are assessing whether any offences had been committed. Kneecap’s performance on the same stage that day was also under investigation, but police recently confirmed that they had dropped that inquiry.
Now, Wolf Alice have spoken out about the difference between the conversation surrounding this year’s Glastonbury, and the atmosphere at the festival itself. “The disparity between the way it was presented in the media, and actually being at the festival is hugely different to me,” bassist Theo Ellis said, in a new interview with The Independent. “It didn’t feel like some kind of sinister protest event.”
The band used their own Glastonbury set to comment on the ongoing situation in Gaza, with frontwoman Ellie Rowsell saying: “Before we go, we want to express our solidarity with the people of Palestine.”
During the interview, the band also addressed The 1975‘s performance, where frontman Matty Healy chose not to make any political statements, instead telling the crowd: “We don’t want our legacy to be one of politics, but to be one of love and friendship,” adding that there’s “loads of politics out there”.
“Cool, bro,” Theo Ellis told the newspaper in response to Healy’s comments. “In regards to how much we talk about this stuff, we use our platform and we like to try and use it as effectively as we can for things that the four of us are united behind.”
Guitarist Joff Oddie added: “It’s very difficult. It’s a very messy world, because all the Kneecap stuff… we’re talking about lots of very contentious areas of political discourse, about free speech. There’s gonna be pushback regardless. It’s amazing that people are talking, because this needs to be talked about.”
“What’s going on at the moment is just horrific,” he continued. “The only tiny problem I have is that we sometimes lose sight of the actual issue, which is all the fucking horrific things that are going on in Palestine. My fear is that we start talking about the culture war stuff more than we start talking about children dying.”
Rowsell then added: “But that’s the media’s fault, not the artists’ fault,” pointing out that multiple artists expressed solidarity with Palestine at Glastonbury. “But you would think it was just Kneecap and Bob Vylan, because maybe the media is scared to show just how many people are passionate about expressing solidarity and want the government to do more or whatever. They just focus on the two things that feel controversial.”
Other artists who made pro-Palestine statements across the weekend included The Libertines, who wrapped up their set with drummer Gary Powell holding a Palestine flag in front of the crowd.
CMAT also ended her performance with a chant of ‘Free, free Palestine’, while The Maccabees guitarist Felix White closed their own set saying: “Before we leave, we’re thinking of the people of Palestine and we know you are as well.”
“It’s a distraction technique,” Ellis added. “What is happening in Palestine is underrepresented in the media, and that’s why the artists talking about it are resonating so much.”
“The more people talk about it, the more everyone feels less scared to talk about it as well,” Rowsell continued. “I do believe there is a knock-on effect.”
Bob Vylan divided opinions with their set. Artists including Lambrini Girls, Amyl And The Sniffers and Soft Play, have each shared their backing, and Massive Attack have also announced an alliance of musicians speaking out over Gaza against “intimidations from within” the music industry.
Earlier this month, Bob Vylan played their first show since Glastonbury at London’s The 100 Club and at one point during the set, a group of fans attempted to revive the “death to the IDF” chant.
As shown in footage captured by The Standard, frontman Bobby Vylan immediately pointed at those chanting and said: “No no no no no, you’re gonna get me in trouble. Apparently, every other chant is fine, but you lot will get me in trouble.” He then led the crowd in a chant of “Free, free Palestine”.
In other news, Wolf Alice have recently shared new single ‘The Sofa’, after debuting it at a series of live gigs recently. The song is taken from the north London quartet’s upcoming album, ‘The Clearing’, which is set for release on Friday, August 22 via Sony Music – you can pre-order it here.
