Decision made on 'offensive' singers taking to Wiltshire stage

Members of the northern area licensing sub-committee met in Chippenham this morning (Monday) to discuss an application to amend the premises licence granted to the festival.

The South Cotswolds Conservative Association mounted a challenge after learning that Bob Vylan - the act that caused uproar when they led a chant of 'death to the IDF (the Israel Defence Forces)' at Glastonbury Festival last summer - had been booked to headline family-friendly Shindig at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury.

Laura Hall-Wilson, chairman of the association, told the hearing that she liked music festivals and appreciated the contribution they made to the local economy.

She said she was a champion of freedom of speech, defended the right to make "genuine criticism of the Israeli state," but - citing the stabbing of two Jews at Golders Green - she said licensing authorities needed to do everything they could to "dial down the rhetoric."

Supporting the application to review the licence, Tom Blanden, chairman of Charlton Parish Council, said there had been "huge concern" raised by locals. "The sound from festivals at Charlton Park comes into the village," he said. "Whatever is said from the stage will be heard by the villagers."

Wiltshire Councillor Elizabeth Threlfall said: "I am not against freedom of speech, and I am in favour of Shindig." But she added: "The inclusion of Bob Vylan on the bill is a mistake."

She said Wiltshire Council, as the licensing authority, had a duty to protect children. "Bob Vylan are an offensive act," she said. "Violent views are part of their USP."

Time and again, Shindig's lawyer Matthew Phipps pointed committee members to their statutory responsibilities under the licensing act. He said contractual measures had been put in place to ensure the artist did not breach the festival's licensing conditions.

He said the committee was in the unusual position of having to make a decision based not on something that had happened, but on something people were concerned might happen.

"Having a provocative and antagonistic performer is not illegal," he said. "If that were the test, then no licensed premises would be granted permissions.

"Having a provocative and antagonistic performer is not illegal."

Committee member Ben Reed (Devizes North, Liberal Democrats) asked about the measures in place to stop Bob Vylan breaking the conditions imposed on them.

Mr Phipps responded: "Measures would include the sound being turned off, audio visuals being turned off, or the security team intervening."

"So if they started chanting 'Death to the IDF' you would pull the plug?" asked committee chairman Cllr Trevor Carbin (Holt, Liberal Democrats),

"Yes, and if the crowd started chanting it, the band would stop their performance," said festival co-director Simon Clarke.

Councillor Kevin Daley (Till Valley, Conservative) said: "Hate speech and violence are part of the band's act." He proceeded to quote lyrics from a selection of Bob Vylan, in which the listener is urged to "storm Downing Street," "eat the rich," and "kill your landlord."

"Unless they just stand on the stage and wave, how can this go ahead?" he asked.

Mr Phipps responded: "Delilah is about killing a woman, but no one is suggesting banning Tom Jones."

He added: "Saying things some people consider rude, or offensive, or controversial is not why we are here today."

Full access to all of our articles online and on the app, fewer adverts, a better reading experience, exclusive competitions and more - all for less than the price of a cup of coffee. ☕️
Subscribe now! - https://t.co/AQ9XF2gcO2 pic.twitter.com/bYvsD2lw5e

— Gazette & Herald (@wiltsgazette) April 13, 2026

Following an hour-long deliberation, the committee decided not to revoke Shindig's licence or to add any further conditions to it.

Outside the hearing, Mr Clarke said: "We have been facing censorship, stood our ground, and stand by our robust safety measures.

In a statement, Bob Vylan said: "We’re incredibly excited to be at Shindig this year, and we look forward to sharing the same love, truth and energy that our live shows are known for."

The festival opens on Thursday.