Banksy launches inflatable migrant boat artwork during Idles’ Glastonbury set

It was recently announced that the well-known street artist Banksy was responsible for a surprise act during Idles' performance at Glastonbury. An inflatable life raft carrying fake migrants was sent flying over the audience, causing quite a stir.

A lot of people in the audience thought the boat was a planned part of Idles' performance, fitting in with the themes of their music about immigration, critiques of conservative leadership, and messages of understanding. However, a spokesperson for the band revealed on Saturday that Banksy was actually behind the boat creation, and the band had no knowledge of the stunt until after they finished their set.

The small boats carrying migrants across the Channel, commonly known as rafts, have become a major focus of Rishi Sunak's immigration policy. One of these rafts was passed through the large crowd at the Other stage, where Idles were headlining on Friday night.

The new feature was introduced while the song Danny Nedelko was playing, starting with the first lines of the lyrics.

My sibling from another mother is a migrant A gorgeous migrant

My closest brother is Freddie Mercury, a Nigerian mother who has three children.

His body is made up of bones, blood, and flesh. His essence is made of love, reflecting both him and me, promoting unity.

Fear can cause people to become panicked, and this panic can result in suffering. This suffering can then lead to feelings of anger, which in turn can lead to hatred.

Banksy has a long and interesting connection to the festival. He created a stab-proof vest with the Union Jack flag for Stormzy to wear during his headline performance on the Pyramid stage in 2019. He also took over a livestock transport van in 2014, which drove around the site with stuffed animals coming out of it. The festival site has also been home to many of Banksy's iconic stencil artworks, including one from 2010 that was brought back in 2022 to celebrate the festival's 50th year.

Movement of people is a big focus at this year's Glastonbury festival, as seen in the addition of a new section called Terminal 1. This area has taken the place of the old William's Green stage. To enter Terminal 1, attendees must answer a question from the UK government's citizenship test for those looking to move to the country. Once inside, visitors can enjoy music from performers linked to Notting Hill carnival and Bristol's St Paul's carnival. Additionally, there will be artwork on display from various international artists such as Love Watts, Yoshi Sodeoka, and Turner prize winner Mark Wallinger.