🔗 Share this article

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 "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

The vocal punk pair sparked significant controversy when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first public discussion since the festival show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the network's airing of the show violated content standards in relation to harm and offence.

He informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left 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 BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

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

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. In which the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop 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 songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

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

Comparison with Other Artists

When he said he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."