🔗 Share this article

Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

This vocal music duo ignited widespread controversy when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, forcing them to cancel a planned North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first public discussion since the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the band encountered was "small compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Feedback

This artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the show breached editorial standards in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "marching in sport gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

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

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to permit that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic events reported later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish band another band, who have also encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."