Bob Vylan Stance on Glastonbury Israel Defense Forces Protest: "Zero Regrets"

The lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

This vocal punk duo sparked significant debate when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the artists' visas, compelling the duo to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned 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 added that the criticism the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently determined that the network's airing of the show breached editorial standards in relation to harm and offence.

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

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

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

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Artists

When he mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are already the enemy."