Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
Controversial Chant and Political Responses
The vocal punk duo ignited significant controversy when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."
Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its agency UTA, and the American government cancelled the artists' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.
Interview with Louis Theroux
In his first interview after the Glastonbury performance, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:
"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
The artist noted that the criticism the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."
Regarding the Protest's Significance
"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative media?"
Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback
The artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that members of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."
However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's airing of the performance breached editorial guidelines in relation to offense and offence.
Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"
Reply to Blur Frontman
The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in sport gear."
His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.
"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.
"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."
Meaning Behind the Slogan
After asked what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "unimportant."
"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.
"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."
Denial of Hate Speech Claims
The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported two days.
"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.
Contrast with Other Artists
As he said he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish group another band, who have also faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.
"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the enemy."
