BBC explains why Hozier's impassioned speech was cut from Reading And Leeds

Written by Thomas Crago

BBC News addresses why Hozier’s speech involving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, free speech, and equality was suspiciously censored from their Reading and Leeds 2025 broadcast. 

Hozier live 2025. Credit: Derek Bremner for NME

After direct criticism from fans regarding the topic, The broadcasting corporation addressed that Hozier’s set was cut due to a mutual agreement with the artist. The corporation has a history of criticism with streaming performances that were deemed “high risk,” and now refuses to broadcast anything of the such. (See bottom for more information.)

Hozier is an Irish musician; recognized for his songs being a synthesis of sociopolitical topics told through music that draws from many cultural backgrounds. He did not cower to deliver his typical speech speaking against hate and calling for rights at the Reading and Leeds festival on August 22nd. He raised and kindled subjects – such as women’s reproductive rights, rights for the LGBTQ+ community, the raging Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and encouraging people to use their rights to free speech. 

He began to explain his thoughts on existing social issues: “Reading, at the core of it, I don’t think it’s complicated. I think people want to see human beings living in peace and safety,  and security. I think people would want to see that for their neighbours, they would want to see that for members of their community, and I believe that people would want to see people they don’t know living in peace and safety, and security. Am I right?”

He adds onto that subject, mentioning casual hate within our communities: “They wouldn’t want to see their neighbours live in the fear of hatred and racism, wouldn’t want to see their Jewish friends live in fear of antisemitism, and Muslim brothers and sisters living in fear of islamophobia.” He continued: “They want to see their Members of the LGBTQ+ community treated with respect, and dignity.”

The speech carried on to the military actions of Israel against Palestine, which has been deemed genocide plausible: “And peace and safety, and security for everybody in the Middle East means a Palestine that’s free from occupation, that’s free from these endless cycles of violence.” The crowd resonates with agreement as Hozier batters through the topic. He promptly adds: “And it means a Palestine that’s free to move towards meaningful self-determination and statehood.”

BBC has received criticism in the past after livestreaming Bob Vylan’s set at Glastonbury 2025 which was denoted as high risk after chanting “Death to the IDF” (Israel Defense Forces) directly on stage. This time around in regards to Hozier, BBC stated to Metro: “As mutually agreed ahead of the Reading Festival, Hozier chose not to be included in the BBC’s coverage.” 

It seems certain aspects of broadcasting are starting to reflect a “censor yourself, or we will” theme. Irony is bound to be displayed in the future; artists using their rights of free speech and being forced to silence themselves anyway. Whenever they can be.