🔗 Share this article

Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Reactions

The outspoken punk duo sparked significant controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a planned North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the backlash the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

This artist said he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the show violated editorial guidelines in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

As Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Irish band Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are already the enemy."