British Punk duo Bob Vylan drew massive backlash for dubbing late US commentator Charlie Kirk “an absolute piece of shit of a human being” at a concert in Amsterdam last week.
A scheduled performance in the Dutch city of Tilburg was canceled as a result of the comments, which went viral online and infuriated right-wing organizations.
Bob Vylan informed the audience at the Paradiso performance: “The pronouns was/were. Cause if you chat shit you will get banged. Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, you piece of shit.”
The UK branch of Kirk's Turning Point later accused Bob Vylan of celebrating Kirk's killing.
Bob Vylan issues statement: Has US revoked his visa?
Bob Vylan, however, refuted glorifying Kirk's demise in response to the criticism, saying that his death was never celebrated at yesterday's concert. “I did call him a piece of shit. That much is true. But at no point was his death celebrated.”
{{/usCountry}}Bob Vylan, however, refuted glorifying Kirk's demise in response to the criticism, saying that his death was never celebrated at yesterday's concert. “I did call him a piece of shit. That much is true. But at no point was his death celebrated.”
{{/usCountry}}“Calm down,” they told his critics in an Instagram Video, claiming that one reporter had misrepresented his remarks.
In defense of its cancelation, the Tilburg venue 013 claimed that although punk movement frequently stretched boundaries, “these new statements go too far.”
Following stir created by Bob Vylan remarks, several people on X claimed that “BREAKING: The State Dept has REVOKED Singer Bob Vylan’s visa following his DISGUSTING mockery of Charlie Kirk’s death while performing.”
However, X Community Note clarified, “U.S. visas for Bob Vylan and members of the band were revoked in June 2025, prior to Charlie Kirk's death.”
Controversies surrounding Bob Vylan
The British punk duo had already stirred up outrage at Glastonbury earlier in June when Bobby led cries of “death to the IDF,” which prompted Avon and Somerset police to launch a criminal inquiry.
The band's 19-date American tour was forced to be canceled after the US State Department immediately withdrew their visas following their performance in Glastonbury.
Christopher Landau, the deputy secretary of state, said that those who “glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.”
Emily Eavis, the festival organizer, claimed the group had “very much crossed a line,” while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer referred to the chanting as “appalling hate speech.”
The backlash persisted even after it was clarified that the chant was "not antisemitic" and was instead intended against the Israeli military.