During their performance at Glastonbury 2024, IDLES carried out an immigrant boat stunt which Banksy has now shared on social media. This was unbeknownst to the band, who were playing their pro-immigration track ‘Danny Nedelko’. The boat was a visual reference to the current migrant crisis, which has become the focus of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s immigration policy.
Following the stunt, Home Secretary James Cleverly called it “vile”, stating that the trick was made out of people mocking and celebrating the suffering of others who risk their lives as they seek a better existence. He added that people are dying in the Mediterranean and in the Channel, so this is not funny.
Banksy has now shared his own footage of the incident on Instagram, which seemingly hits back at Cleverley’s comments. Banksy writes, “Using an ocean of people as the water as part of the installation. A powerful message that makes society think about what’s going on in the world. Very political.”
IDLES’ performance at Glastonbury was lauded by NME, in our five-star review of their show. During the set, comments about immigrants who helped build the country led to the inflatable boat being launched into the crowd. IDLES also spoke with NME about their “Oasis vs Blur” rivalry over their set clash with Fontaines D.C. and their plans to headline the festival in the future.
Fat White Family’s Lias Saoudi took the opportunity to poke fun during the IDLES’ show by announcing to the crowd, “This is a song about my feminist zeal – it’s called ‘I am Joe Talbot’”. He then acknowledged the chants of “Fuck the King” from IDLES’ set, adding “God save the King! Fuck off.”
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