Bob Vylan Stance on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "No Remorse"
Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
Controversial Chant and Political Responses
This vocal music duo ignited significant debate when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."
Following the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a planned North American tour.
Conversation with Louis Theroux
In his first interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:
"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
He added that the backlash the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."
On the Chant's Significance
"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"
Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback
This artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."
Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to offense and hurt.
Vylan told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"
Response to Blur Frontman
The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."
Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.
"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.
"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."
Intent Behind the Slogan
When questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."
"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.
"The phrase 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 chant."
Denial of Hate Speech Allegations
Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic incidents recorded later.
"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he said.
Comparison with Different Artists
When he mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish band another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.
"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with everything race comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than they are because we are already the enemy."