Cafe Owner Faces Online Abuse After Livestreaming Glastonbury Set

In an unprecedented incident at the 2025 Glastonbury Festival, Helen Wilson, a 44-year-old yoga teacher and owner of Ground Plant Based Coffee in Swansea, has come under intense online scrutiny following her decision to livestream the performance of the Irish rap trio Kneecap. The livestream, which was viewed by over 2 million people on TikTok, was motivated by the BBC's refusal to air the band's set live due to its editorial guidelines. This decision has ignited a wave of controversy surrounding media censorship and the responsibilities of public broadcasters.

The livestream attracted significant attention, with Wilson reporting that she received overwhelming support from viewers, despite also facing a barrage of hostile comments, some labeling her with derogatory terms. "I have had a lot of trolling. There was somebody on Instagram just saying he sent me a message saying: ‘You’re just a wrinkled old woman looking for attention’,” Wilson stated during an interview. She emphasized that the focus should remain on the broader issues at stake, particularly the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine, which she believes is often overlooked.

According to the BBC, the decision to not air Kneecap's performance live was made to ensure the content aligned with their editorial guidelines. However, Wilson’s spontaneous decision to livestream has opened a larger discussion about the role of social media in amplifying voices that traditional media may choose to ignore. As she explained, "This is about the genocide in Palestine, and this is about the failure of our government to act, to do anything about it."

The reaction to Wilson's livestream was mixed. While she received countless messages of support, including praise from Kneecap, who referred to her as a “legend” and offered her tickets to future shows, the negative feedback highlights the often toxic environment of online discourse. Wilson mentioned she felt compelled to continue streaming as viewers encouraged her with messages like, “Please keep going, do what you can, please keep going.”

This incident aligns with a growing trend of artists and activists using platforms like TikTok to reach wider audiences. In recent years, there has been a notable shift in how music and performance art intersect with political expression, particularly among younger audiences. According to Dr. Emily Harper, a sociologist at the University of London, “This reflects a generational shift where traditional media is being challenged by grassroots content creators who are unafraid to speak on contentious issues.”

At Glastonbury, Kneecap's performance was not just a musical act; it became a platform for political expression. The band’s lyrics resonate with themes of rebellion and social justice, and their call for a more inclusive dialogue around sensitive topics reflects a broader cultural movement among artists. During their set, they led chants criticizing UK political figures, drawing attention to the ongoing debates about freedom of speech and artistic expression.

Helen Wilson's experience raises significant questions about the responsibilities of both individual content creators and larger media organizations. As social media continues to shape public discourse, the implications of censorship and the power dynamics between traditional media and grassroots movements are becoming increasingly relevant. The controversy surrounding her livestream also underscores the need for a more nuanced conversation about the intersection of music, media, and political activism.

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how this incident will influence the media landscape and the ongoing discussions about censorship, freedom of expression, and the role of social media in political discourse. As the dialogue continues, figures like Wilson may play a crucial role in redefining how we engage with both art and activism in the digital age.