Wiltshire’s Shindig Festival will have its licence reviewed just days before this year’s edition is due to get underway on 21 May after an unknown person raised formal concerns with the local council relating to “crime and disorder” and “public safety” on account of this year’s headliner, Bob Vylan.
A filing with Wiltshire Council states, “the inclusion of a headlining performer, Bob Vylan, who has been widely criticised for inflammatory and divisive rhetoric, including allegations of antisemitic statements, raises serious concerns”.
Anyone can request a review of an event’s licence under the UK 2003 Licensing Act. Wiltshire councillor Paul Sample has told the BBC that the review will now be undertaken by an independent licensing sub‑committee, but not until the week of the festival itself.
The council previously said it has “no influence on the choice of artists” at events it licences but would “work closely with colleagues and other organisations to ensure all relevant legislation” was complied with at this year’s Shindig Festival.
Venues and festivals have been under pressure to cancel Bob Vylan shows ever since the punk duo’s controversial Glastonbury set last year, during which frontman Pascal Robinson led the crowd in chants of “from the river to the sea, Palestine must be - will be - free” and “death to the IDF” chant, referencing the Israel Defense Forces.
Robinson’s vocal on-stage support of Palestine and criticism of Israel has been both commended and condemned by different groups. Some of his shows, including the Glastonbury set, have also led to police investigations amid allegations of antisemitism.
However, police in both London and Avon & Somerset ultimately concluded that complaints did not meet the necessary threshold to pursue a criminal case. And Robinson strongly denies the claims of antisemitism and has taken legal action against media that have made that allegation.
Commenting on the rather last minute licence review, a spokesperson for Shindig says, somewhat diplomatically, “safety has always come first at Shindig and under no circumstance would we allow that to change. We are working closely with our production team, the artist and the authorities to ensure we have a robust plan in place to address these concerns”.
