From Bob Vylan to Shine Jesus Shine and beyond

Songs have the power to set a scene – whether rebellious, celebratory, or full of relief and hope. Songs like: School’s Out for Summer, We’re All Going on a Summer Holiday and Here Comes the Sun.

Songs sung together have even more power to unite us and evoke feelings. From terraces resounding with the sound of “swing low, sweet chariot” to the quiet beauty of a Gregorian chant or the moving repetition of a Taizé song, music made together has huge power.

What are we to do then, when the power to bring voices together in unison is ill-used? Glastonbury this year seemed to showcase this. One half of Bob Vylan, a British rap act, led crowds in chants of “Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)” – resulting in a police investigation, US visas for the band being revoked and several other festivals cancelling planned performances by them.