🔗 Share this article

Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Reactions

The outspoken music pair sparked significant controversy when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the members' visas, forcing them to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the duo faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not 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? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments

The musician said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later determined that the network's broadcast of the performance breached content standards in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

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

Intent Behind the Slogan

After asked what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. In which the Palestinian population are being killed 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 caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in antisemitic events recorded two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of people going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan said he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Irish group another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."