We can’t stop Bob Vylan concert from going ahead next week says Camden Council boss - The Jewish Chronicle

The leader of Camden Council says he has no power to stop controversial rap duo Bob Vylan from performing in the north London borough, the JC can report.

Councillor Richard Olszewski has written to the police and the venue due to host the group next week, asking what measures are in place “to keep our residents safe.”

Bobby Vylan – real name Pascal Robinson-Foster – became widely known this year after leading a chant of “death, death to the IDF” during a Glastonbury performance. He also launched an expletive-laden tirade against a former boss he described as a “f**cking Zionist.”

A concert by the duo scheduled for Manchester Academy this month was postponed following the Yom Kippur terror attack, when MPs from across Greater Manchester and members of the local Jewish community raised concerns.

However, their show in Kentish Town – the Prime Minister’s constituency – is still set to go ahead next week, with tickets currently on sale.

In a letter to residents who had sent him their fears about the planned gig, Olszewski said that because the event is being held at a private venue, the council has no authority to cancel it.

He added that he had written to the police and the Academy Music Group, which operates the O2 Forum Kentish Town, to outline his concerns.

Writing to residents, Olszewski said: “The chants made by this performer at recent events were completely unacceptable and they have cast a long shadow. Whilst I cannot prevent an artist from performing at a privately owned venue, I have raised our shared concerns with the police and the venue.

“Antisemitism has no place in our society and I have written to Camden's Police Borough Commander to seek assurances about what steps are being taken to ensure the safety and security of our residents. I want to know what risks they have identified and how they plan to mitigate those risks.

“I have also contacted Academy Music Group who operate 02 Forum Kentish Town, to ask them what measures they have in place to keep our residents safe.

“Given the measures taken in Manchester,” Olszewski went on, referring to the cancelled Manchester gig, “I want to know what considerations have been made in deciding to proceed with the Camden event.

“The safety of our residents is my number one priority. Camden is no place for hate and we will continue our work to make sure each and every member of our community feels safe, welcome, included and supported.

“Following the attack in Manchester I have been visiting Synagogues and working closely with the police to enhance security at a number of locations across the borough and we stand ready, if required, to do the same again.”

Grassroots anti-antisemitism group, Stop The Hate, told the JC they are “deeply alarmed by the decision of Academy Music Group to host Bob Vylan at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, particularly given the documented surge in antisemitic incidents the day after his performance at Glastonbury Festival.

“That this event is scheduled in a community with a significant Jewish presence in north-west London makes the decision even more reprehensible. More than 1,000 people have written to the local council leader, and more than 3,500 to the Prime Minister, expressing their concern.

“Although Academy Music Group chose to postpone Vylan’s appearance in Manchester, they appear unwilling to apply the same standard here — suggesting a double-standard when it comes to the safety and dignity of Jewish audiences,” a spokesperson for Stop the Hate said.

“We are following the recommendation of Councillor Olszwecki and will now be writing formally to Academy Music Group, demanding immediate action and the event be cancelled.

“We believe there must be zero tolerance for anti-Jewish racism in music or any cultural sphere and expect Academy Music Group to act swiftly and responsibly.”

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Music