Jade Thirlwall leads crowd in protest chant against Farage's party
- Jade Thirlwall led a crowd chant against Nigel Farage's Reform UK party during her performance at Glastonbury.
- The festival included various politically charged messages, raising discussions on issues such as transphobia and welfare cuts.
- The event reflected the growing intersection of music and political activism, drawing both support and criticism from audiences.
In late June 2025, the Glastonbury music festival held in England turned politically charged as English singer Jade Thirlwall expressed her dissent against Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. Performing her song 'FUFN' (Fuck You For Now), Thirlwall led the crowd in a series of chants that echoed her views on various socio-political issues such as transphobia and welfare cuts. The festival atmosphere intensified with Thirlwall's call and response, where she articulated her frustrations by declaring 'Reform, fuck you. Welfare cuts, fuck you. Transphobia, fuck you' and more, generating strong reactions from a diverse audience of festival-goers. Thirlwall, 32, has a history of political activism, frequently aligning herself with leftist causes, including LGBTQ+ rights and the Black Lives Matter movement. Her statements at the festival sparked a wave of conversation on social media, drawing the attention of supporters and critics alike. The event illustrated not just a celebration of music but also a platform for political expression, aligning artists' performances with current social issues. Additionally, the festival was marked by other politically charged performances that further escalated the discussions, including a rap-rock duo called Bob Vylan, who led the audience in a chant suggesting violence against the Israeli Defense Forces. Their remarks faced backlash online, and the Avon and Somerset police announced investigations into the comments made during the festival. Farage responded to the intense situation by suggesting that voters can reclaim their country from what he termed 'lunatics' by supporting the Reform party. This year's Glastonbury has thus emerged as a significant event in the political landscape of the UK, highlighted by artists leveraging their platforms to confront pressing issues and rally crowds around anti-establishment sentiments. The reaction from the festival-goers ranged from enthusiastic participation to harsh criticism, showcasing a division in public opinion regarding the political messages shared during performances. It has become evident that Glastonbury is not only a venue for music but also a critical platform for political discourse, reflecting the turbulent state of UK politics as the upcoming elections approach.