Music Festival Apologizes for Muting Irish Band Over Palestinian Flag Display: Free Speech Controversy Erupts at Victorious Festival

In Portsmouth, England, organizers of the Victorious music festival have issued an apology to Irish folk group The Mary Wallopers, following claims that the band’s microphones were muted during their performance due to the display of a Palestinian flag.

Several other artists have withdrawn from the event, voicing concerns over freedom of speech suppression by the festival organizers.

Initially attributing the band’s interrupted performance to a “discriminatory” chant, the Victorious music festival released a statement on Instagram, expressing regret and committing to donating to humanitarian initiatives supporting Palestinians. The statement acknowledged that their initial explanation may not have been sensitive or timely enough, causing both the band and the organizers’ team unnecessary distress.

The apology also confirmed that, although the microphones remained active, the audience for The Mary Wallopers experienced a sound cut as described in the band’s video, with subsequent comments remaining inaudible to the public.

In an Instagram post, The Mary Wallopers expressed their dissatisfaction with the festival, asserting they were “cut off” due to having a Palestinian flag on stage and accusing Victorious of providing a misleading initial explanation.

The band’s video from the concert reveals that banjo player Andrew Hendy began the set by saying “Free Palestine, and f**k Israel,” before the group continued playing for about a minute further. During this time, a stagehand appears to remove a Palestinian flag affixed to one of the speakers.

Andrew Hendy addressed the crowd, stating that the band were instructed not to fly a Palestinian flag or face being cut off, prompting audience members to leave the festival grounds and join in a “Free Palestine” chant before Andrew’s microphone was silenced.

Later footage from another angle shows The Mary Wallopers’ guitarist Charles Hendy inquiring whether the band could continue playing, receiving an unclear response suggesting that the Palestinian flag needed to be removed. In response, Charles stated, “We’re not playing.” The offscreen individual agreed, and the band departed the stage as the audience chanted for their return.

Audience member Emma Gaynor shared her experience, stating, “People were upset and angry, but I didn’t hear anything discriminatory; it all happened quite quickly.” Fellow attendee Jess Huxham noted that other bands performing that day had also expressed support for Palestine during their sets.

This incident comes amidst ongoing debates surrounding pro-Palestinian activism and free speech in the UK, with musicians frequently at the forefront of these discussions. Previously, rap duo Bob Vylan faced a criminal investigation in the UK following their “Death to the IDF” chant during their Glastonbury Festival performance, as well as revoked visas for upcoming US tour dates due to U.S. government intervention.