🔗 Share this article

The frontman 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."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

This outspoken punk pair ignited significant controversy when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the members' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion since the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to perform at 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 added that the backlash the duo faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the people that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some rightwing official or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The musician said he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and stated that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently determined that the network's airing of the show breached content guidelines in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician 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 "marching in tennis gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in antisemitic events reported two days.

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

Contrast with Different Bands

As he mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more heavily than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."