Primal Scream Camden Controversy: Swastika Eyes at Roundhouse

Key Points

• Primal Scream performed at Camden’s Roundhouse on Monday, featuring a video projection during their song “Swastika Eyes”.
• The video depicted world politicians, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, with Stars of David containing swastikas in place of eyes.
• Other figures shown included US President Donald Trump, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Argentine President Javier Milei.
• The Community Security Trust (CST) reported the band to the police, labelling the imagery antisemitic.
• The band has a history of vocal criticism towards Israel.
• Video footage shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @nicolelampert highlighted the controversial visuals: 
• Coverage appeared in Daily Mail, Jewish News, The Jewish Chronicle, and other outlets, sparking debates on free speech versus hate speech.

What Imagery Was Shown at the Primal Scream Concert?

The controversy centres on a backdrop video played behind the band during their set. Eyewitness accounts and shared footage confirm the visuals manipulated images of global politicians, superimposing Stars of David with swastikas in the eye positions. This created a stark, inflammatory effect against the song’s driving rhythm.

As detailed by Nicole Lampert in her X post, which included a clip from the event, the video looped repeatedly, drawing immediate attention from audience members. The post, viewed widely, stated:

“Primal Scream playing Swastika Eyes with this on the screen behind them at the Roundhouse. Netanyahu with a Star of David and swastikas for eyes.”.

Daniel Sugarman, Associate Comment Editor at The Jewish Chronicle, reported on the full scope:

“The video showed a succession of world politicians – Netanyahu and Gallant among them – with Stars of David where their eyes should be, and swastikas inside those Stars of David. Also featured were Donald Trump, Ursula von der Leyen and Javier Milei.”

He emphasised the deliberate nature of the imagery during a song titled “Swastika Eyes”, originally a critique of neo-Nazism but repurposed here in a context CST deemed antisemitic.

Jewish News coverage by Joshua Neuman corroborated these details, noting the performance took place on 9 December 2025, at the iconic Camden venue. Neuman quoted CST’s Dave Rich:

“This is an appallingly antisemitic image, equating Jews and the Star of David with Nazis and swastikas. There is no excuse or justification for it.”

Why Did the Community Security Trust Report Primal Scream to Police?

CST acted swiftly, lodging a police complaint due to the perceived invocation of classic antisemitic tropes. The charity views the fusion of Jewish symbols with Nazi iconography as a direct assault on Jewish identity, especially amid rising antisemitic incidents in the UK.

As reported by Rebecca Taylor of the Daily Mail, CST’s chief executive Dave Rich commented:

“Primal Scream’s use of Nazi swastikas inside the Jewish Star of David is an antisemitic image straight out of the Nazi propaganda playbook. We have reported it to the police.”

Rich further elaborated in statements to multiple outlets, stressing no artistic merit excused such symbolism.

The Jewish Chronicle’s Daniel Sugarman attributed CST’s response:

“The Community Security Trust has reported Primal Scream to the police over the ‘appallingly antisemitic’ images.”

Sugarman added context on the band’s history, noting frontman Bobby Gillespie’s past endorsements of controversial figures like Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Jewish News’ Joshua Neuman provided CST’s full rationale:

“Dave Rich, CST’s director of policy, said: ‘This is an appallingly antisemitic image, equating Jews and the Star of David with Nazis and swastikas. There is no excuse or justification for it, and we have reported it to the police.'”

What Is Primal Scream’s History with Israel Criticism?

Primal Scream, formed in 1988, has built a reputation for politically charged music. Their criticism of Israel intensified post-7 October 2023 attacks, aligning with pro-Palestinian activism.

Daily Mail’s Rebecca Taylor highlighted:

“The band, which has been vocally critical of Israel, was playing their song ‘Swastika Eyes’.”

Taylor referenced Gillespie’s 2024 social media support for Haniyeh, sharing a photo with the caption celebrating his “martyrdom”.

Daniel Sugarman in The Jewish Chronicle delved deeper:

“Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie has a history of extreme anti-Israel activism, including praising Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh after his death.”

Sugarman noted the band’s 2002 track “Bombshell Blues” featured pro-IRA lyrics, underscoring their provocative stance.

No direct response from Primal Scream appears in initial reports, though fans online defended the visuals as anti-Zionist satire targeting leaders rather than Jews broadly.

Which Politicians Were Targeted in the Video Projections?

The video did not limit itself to Israeli figures, broadening the political critique but intensifying accusations of antisemitism through the Jewish symbolism.

• Benjamin Netanyahu: Israeli Prime Minister, shown with Star of David-swastika eyes.
• Yoav Gallant: Former Israeli Defence Minister, similarly depicted.
• Donald Trump: US President, included in the rotation.
• Ursula von der Leyen: European Commission President.
• Javier Milei: Argentine President.

As per Rebecca Taylor in Daily Mail:

“Other politicians featured included US President Donald Trump, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Argentine President Javier Milei.” 

Nicole Lampert’s footage primarily focused on Netanyahu but cycled through others.

Has Police Responded to the CST Complaint?

Metropolitan Police have acknowledged the report but provided no further details as of Tuesday, 10 December 2025. Investigations into potential hate crime offences are standard for such referrals.

Joshua Neuman of Jewish News reported:

“The Metropolitan Police have been approached for comment.”

No arrests or charges have been announced, leaving the matter under review.

Daniel Sugarman in The Jewish Chronicle noted:

“Police have been informed, but no further action has been confirmed.”

What Is the Song “Swastika Eyes” About?

Released on the 2000 album XTRMNTR, “Swastika Eyes” critiques far-right extremism, with lyrics decrying “swastika eyes” as a metaphor for fascist gaze. Its electronic pulse contrasts the band’s indie rock roots.

CST argues the live visuals perverted this intent, inverting anti-Nazi messaging into perceived anti-Jewish rhetoric. Dave Rich, as quoted across sources, rejected artistic defence outright.

How Have Audiences and Critics Reacted?

Social media erupted post-gig, with pro-Palestinian users hailing it as bold commentary on “genocide enablers”, while Jewish groups condemned it universally. Attendance at the sold-out Roundhouse was around 3,000, per venue records.

Nicole Lampert’s X post garnered thousands of interactions, polarising views. Supporters argued the targets were politicians, not Jews; critics, including CST allies, saw inherent antisemitism.

What Does This Mean for Live Music and Free Speech?

The incident reignites debates on gig visuals amid UK tensions over Israel-Gaza. Venues like Roundhouse, known for diverse bookings, face scrutiny on content moderation.

Rebecca Taylor in Daily Mail contextualised:

“The performance comes amid heightened sensitivities.”

Legal experts note UK hate speech laws require intent to stir hatred, a threshold police will assess.

Primal Scream’s team has not commented publicly, but precedents like cancelations of acts (e.g., 2024 pro-Palestine rapper gigs) suggest potential fallout.