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PA
There was no Glastonbury Festival in 2018
A band criticised for calling on members of the Conservative Party to be killed have had their Glastonbury Festival booking cancelled.
Killdren were invited to appear at Glastonbury’s Shangri-Hell International TV stage on 28 June.
One of their songs is called Kill Tory Scum – which the Jo Cox Foundation said has “completely abhorrent” language.
In a statement, Shangri-La said it was “incredibly saddened” at the attention the Killdren booking received.
It added: “We in no way condone violence and will not allow this matter to overshadow the incredibly inclusive spirit of Glastonbury.
“As a result we have taken the decision to withdraw the booking”.
Killdren’s lyrics include: “Even if it’s your dad or your mum, kill Tory scum, kill Tory scum…murder them all to the beat of a drum, kill Tory scum, kill Tory scum.”
The band also played a graphic set at Boomtown Fair 2018, in which they kicked, punched, and spat at a man dressed in a suit, while wearing Kill Tory Scum clothing.
‘Devastating toll’
News of the booking was first reported by the Sunday Times.
When asked about the song, the band told the paper: “The piece would not exist if the destructive and violent policies of the Tory party hadn’t taken such a devastating toll on the UK.”
Another band due to play at Glastonbury – Fat White Family – have also previously called for violence against Conservatives on social media.
Fat White Family performing at Glastonbury 2015
In a 2015 tweet, the punk rock band, from south-east London, said anyone who voted Tory had “blood” on their hands, and called for them to be executed.
A year earlier, they said Tories should be hanged.
The Fat White Family is still due to play at Glastonbury on 30 June on the Park Stage.