Bob Vylan's Stance on Glastonbury IDF Chant: "Zero Regrets"

The frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken music duo sparked widespread debate when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling them to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first interview after the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

On the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback

The artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and stated that staff of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's ECU later found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to offense and offence.

He told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the politics of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "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 "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic events recorded two days.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have also encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

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

Virginia Frederick
Virginia Frederick

Elara Vance is a seasoned sports analyst with a passion for data-driven betting strategies and helping others improve their wagering decisions.