🔗 Share this article

Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This vocal punk duo ignited significant debate when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. This chant was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American government revoked the members' visas, compelling the duo to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely 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 encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the individuals 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 rightwing politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Comments

This musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the performance violated editorial guidelines in relation to offense and hurt.

He informed the host there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to permit that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" 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 sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan said he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with everything race comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."