🔗 Share this article

Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Reactions

This outspoken punk duo ignited widespread debate when they initiated audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US state department revoked the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to go on Glastonbury 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 criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Feedback

The artist claimed he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later found that the network's airing of the show violated content guidelines in regard to harm and hurt.

He told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "marching in sport gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. In which the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

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

Contrast with Other Artists

When Vylan said he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."