BBC explains why Hozier’s passionate speech about Palestine and free speech was cut from Reading 2025 broadcast

The BBC has explained why Reading and Leeds headliner Hozier‘s set was not broadcast, saying it was a mutual agreement between the broadcaster and the musician.

The Irish musician performed on the main stage on Friday night (August 22), and gave impassioned speeches in support of Palestine Action, Kneecap, free speech and equality.

He began by referencing artists with an “instinct to tell the truth in their music”, listing Nina Simone, Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez and Ewan MacColl. He then spotlighted Mavis Staples and her family, The Staples Singers, who “used to sing before speeches during the American Civil Rights movement that took place in the 1960s.”

After speaking more about his interest in the civil rights movement and fights for equality, he later said: “Reading, at the core of it, I don’t think it’s complicated. I think people want to see human beings live in peace and safety, and security. I think that people would want to see that for their neighbours. They would want to see that for members of their community. I believe that people would want to see people they don’t know live with peace and safety, and security. Am I right?

“They wouldn’t want to see their neighbours live in fear of hatred or racism,” he added. “Wouldn’t want to see their Jewish friends live in the fear of anti-Semitism, and Muslim brothers and sisters live in the fear of Islamophobia. They want to see their members of the LGBTQ community treated with respect and dignity, and peace.”

The musician continued: “Safety and security for everybody in the Middle East means seeing a Palestine that’s free from occupation, that’s free from these cycles of genocide and violence, and it means seeing a Palestine that’s free to move towards meaningful self-determination and statehood.”

Since Hamas’ attack on Israeli citizens on October 7, 2023 that killed over 1100 people and saw 250 taken as hostages, multiple UN human-rights experts and UN bodies have stated that Israel’s military actions in Gaza may amount to genocide, and the International Court of Justice has found claims of genocide plausible.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, at least 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. Israel rejects the genocide accusations and denies committing any war crimes, maintaining that its operations are lawful acts of self-defence.

Fans have criticised the fact that his performance was not livestreamed on BBC iPlayer. Now, in a statement to Metro, the BBC explained why Hozier’s set was not broadcast.

It read: “Viewers can enjoy a wide range of performances and highlights from Reading and Leeds Festival on BBC iPlayer, BBC Music’s YouTube channel, BBC One and Radio 1.

“As mutually agreed ahead of Reading Festival, Hozier chose not to be included in the BBC’s coverage.”

Metro also understands that not all sets are broadcast, and that it is normally previously arranged.

so it was either censor yourself or we will do it for you. we don’t stand for this. never will. here’s hozier speech as intended to be heard. pic.twitter.com/QJIBEaqr51 https://t.co/xwszJxPUna

— evie | BAILEY DAY!!!!!🧁 (@unrlunrth) August 23, 2025

Hozier played tracks including ‘Nobody’s Soldier’, ‘Eat Your Young’, ‘Too Sweet’, ‘Nina Cried Power’ and ‘Take Me to Church’. NME gave his set four stars in a review, commending it for its ability to draw in a crowd and his speeches.

It concludes: “During his set-defining speech, he declares: “I believe that people would want to see people they don’t know live with peace and safety, and security. Am I right?” When the crowd roars back at him, it’s clear he’s on the right stage and, more importantly, on the right side of history.”

This comes as the BBC says that it will no longer be broadcasting any performances it thinks may be “high risk” in the future, after they were criticised for livestreaming Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury 2025, which saw them lead chants of “Death to the IDF”.