Bob Vylan Stance on Festival Israel Defense Forces Chant: "Zero Regrets"

Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Responses

The vocal punk duo ignited widespread controversy when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, compelling the duo to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion after the festival show, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

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

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

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist said he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in regard to harm and offence.

Vylan informed the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

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

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After asked what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic events recorded two days.

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

Comparison with Different Artists

As he said he felt the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, the host brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

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

Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about digital innovation and storytelling, sharing experiences from a global perspective.