British punk rap duo Bob Vylan have sparked outrage after they shamefully ridiculed the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk during their Saturday performance at Amsterdam’s Paradiso venue.
The band’s frontman, Pascal Robinson-Foster, who performs as Bobby Vylan, dedicated a song to Mr Kirk, referring to him as “an absolute piece of s*** of a human being” and mockingly using the pronouns “was/were” in reference to his death.
The rapper told the sold-out crowd: “Rest in peace, Charlie Kirk, you piece of s***,” before addin,g “if you chat s***, you will get banged.”
The inflammatory remarks came just days after Mr Kirk was fatally shot whilst speaking at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
The venue holding Bob Vylan’s latest gig displayed Palestinian flags throughout the performance, with heightened security measures including police presence and metal barriers.
During the Amsterdam performance, Mr Robinson-Foster reportedly urged concert-goers to physically assault political opponents in the streets. According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, he declared: “Sometimes you have to kick Nazis in their fucking face… Fuck the fascists, fuck the Zionists. Go find them on the street!”
The rapper opened the show by asking the audience “Are there any snipers in the hall?” in what appeared to be a reference to Mr Kirk’s shooting. He also criticised Saturday’s London rally organised by Tommy Robinson, stating his music aimed to inspire a “revolution.”
The controversial duo performed their track containing the chant “Death, death to the IDF!” three times throughout the evening, with Mr Robinson-Foster joking he had recently profited from the controversy surrounding their previous performances.
Bob Vylan previously led chants of ‘Death to the IDF’ at Glastonbury in the summer
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GETTYFootage of the moment where Bob Vylan mocked Mr Kick’s death has since gone viral on social media. Turning Point UK, the British branch of Mr Kirk’s political movement, was just one account that shared a clip of the band’s vile rant on X.
The group listed Bob Vylan’s upcoming tour dates in the UK before saying: “This far-left extremist belongs in prison, not onstage.”
Meanwhile, Bob Vylan faced criticism from elsewhere. GB News regular Adam Brooks wrote: “These are the people that are pretending to be the good guys, people that some on the left promote and cheer. BOB VYLAN, I’m absolutely disgusted, am more so, I’m saddened at your hatred. Filth.” (sic)
Alex Armstrong echoed: “He’s so untalented he has to say controversial things just to stay relevant. When history books are written ‘Bob Vylan’ won’t even get a side note, Charlie Kirk will get entire chapters written about him. The left always lose. Always.”
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Another X user fumed: “Remember Bob Vylan who sung ‘Death to the IDF?’ Well here he is again referring to Charlie Kirk as ‘a piece of s**t of a human being.
“Pronouns was/were. If you talk s**t, you will get banged.’ Followed by a gun gesture & cheers from the crowd. What a sick, worthless imbecile.”
“This guy is a disgrace to humanity,” a second raged before a third hit out: “He is the very definition of evil, and no one should ever buy his tickets.”
It’s not the first time Bob Vylan has caused controversy for their onstage remarks. The band faced police investigation following their June appearance at Glastonbury, where they led festival-goers in chanting for the death of Israeli Defence Forces members.
The incident, broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, prompted condemnation from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labelled it “appalling hate speech.”
Following the Glastonbury controversy, the duo lost their management representation and had their American visas cancelled by the Trump administration. The BBC removed its full performance from iPlayer after broadcasting continued for 40 minutes following the anti-Israel chanting.
Mr Kirk, 31, was killed by a single gunshot whilst addressing students at the Utah public university in Orem. The Turning Point USA founder and chief executive had been responding to a question about mass shootings when he was struck.
He was immediately transported to the hospital but died from his injuries. The prominent MAGA supporter and Christian conservative leaves behind his wife, Erika, and their two children – a three-year-old daughter and a 16-month-old son.
The couple had marked their fourth wedding anniversary in May. Mr Kirk’s death sparked varied reactions across social media, with some left-wing users celebrating whilst others across the political spectrum condemned the killing as the latest incident of political violence in America.
GB News star Alex Armstrong was just one of many to condemn Bob Vylan’s remarks
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Following Mr Kirk’s assassination, US State Department officials issued stern warnings to foreign nationals celebrating the violence. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed disgust at social media posts praising or making light of the killing, instructing consular staff to take suitable measures.
“Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the [State Department] can protect the American people,” Mr Landau stated in an official announcement.
The State Department emphasised that individuals “who glorify violence and hatred” would be denied entry to America. This warning appeared particularly relevant to Bob Vylan, who had already lost their US visas following the Glastonbury incident.
The band’s Amsterdam performance occurred as American officials monitored international responses to Mr Kirk’s death, with authorities prepared to restrict access for those endorsing political violence.