Amsterdam, Netherlands – Punk-grime duo Bob Vylan are under fire after controversial comments at their Amsterdam show appeared to mock the assassination of U.S. conservative figure Charlie Kirk.
Who is Bob Vylan?
The duo, made up of Bobby Vylan (Pascal Robinson-Foster) and drummer Bobbie, are known for mixing punk and grime with outspoken politics. They have built a reputation for sharp critiques of government policy, racism, and global conflicts.
Earlier this year, they faced backlash for chanting “Death to the IDF” during their Glastonbury Festival set. As a result, several festivals dropped them. The U.S. State Department also canceled their visas, forcing the band to scrap a planned American tour.
The Amsterdam Incident
On Friday, Bob Vylan played a sold-out concert at Paradiso, a venue that fits 1,500 people. During the show, Bobby paused to comment on Kirk’s killing.
“I want to dedicate this next one to an absolute piece of s*** of a human being. The pronouns was/were. Because if you talk s***, you will get banged. Rest in peace Charlie Kirk, you piece of s***,” he told the crowd.
A Palestinian flag hung from the stage as the audience reacted. His remarks quickly drew criticism online, with many accusing the group of celebrating Kirk’s murder.
Who Was Charlie Kirk?
Kirk, 31, was the founder of Turning Point USA and a close ally of President Donald Trump. Authorities say he was assassinated on Wednesday at a Utah Valley University event in what they called a political attack.
He gained national attention as one of the most vocal young conservatives in the U.S. He often clashed with liberal activists and positioned himself as a cultural warrior for the right. Kirk’s death sparked tributes from Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other conservative leaders.
Bob Vylan Responds
After the show, Bobby released a video on Instagram to push back against claims that the group celebrated Kirk’s death.
“At no point during yesterday’s show was Charlie Kirk’s death celebrated. At no point whatsoever did we celebrate Charlie Kirk’s death,” he said.
Still, the incident has added to Bob Vylan’s reputation as one of the most divisive acts in British music today.
