Tilburg venue Poppodium 013 has cancelled next week’s Bob Vylan show after remarks made by frontman Bobby Vylan during their gig in Amsterdam’s Paradiso. The duo is accused of downplaying political murder and calling on the crowd to “hunt political opponents in the streets.” According to 013 this “crossed a clear line.”
During the Paradiso show, the British punk-rap group shouted slogans such as “death to the IDF” and insulted recently murdered far-right activist Charlie Kirk. Director Geert van Itallie, present at the concert, confirmed the statements but stressed that the threat was “aimed at fascists only.” Paradiso, one of the country’s most historic venues, says it won’t backtrack: “We want to offer a stage for engaged, activist art. That sometimes creates dilemmas, but we won’t censor it.”
While 013 — the biggest pop venue in Tilburg, known for hosting both heavy bands and mainstream names — has drawn a red line, Doornroosje in Nijmegen is still set to host Bob Vylan. Artistic director Joris Holter admits he was “pissed” at the group, but doesn’t want to cancel outright: “Glorifying political murder is unacceptable, but I want to see if we can find another form so they can still express themselves.”
The clash highlights how Dutch venues balance artistic freedom with public responsibility. Paradiso in Amsterdam has long been a stage for political and countercultural acts, 013 in Tilburg prides itself on being a professional and safe space, and Doornroosje in Nijmegen has deep roots in youth culture and activism. Bob Vylan now sits right in the middle of that tension — between provocation, politics, and the limits of the stage.
