Bob Vylan's Stance on Festival IDF Chant: "Zero Remorse"

The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Reactions

This vocal punk duo sparked significant debate when they initiated crowd chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency UTA, and the American government cancelled the artists' visas, forcing them to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial interview after the Glastonbury performance, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their support, they're the people that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's airing of the performance violated editorial standards in relation to offense and hurt.

He informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' 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 response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After asked what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"The phrase 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. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

When he mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Irish group Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."