Bob Vylan's Stance on Glastonbury Israel Defense Forces Chant: "No Regrets"

Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

This outspoken music duo ignited significant debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the members' visas, forcing the duo to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion since the festival performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's airing of the show breached editorial standards in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' 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 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'End, End 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. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents reported two days.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Artists

As he said he felt the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish band another band, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "because as with all things ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."

George Cooper
George Cooper

A seasoned gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience in online casinos and strategy development.