🔗 Share this article

The frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

The outspoken music pair ignited significant controversy when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion since the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely 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 people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and stated that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

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

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. In which the local population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

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

Contrast with Other Artists

When he said he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group another band, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he said, "since as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."