🔗 Share this article

Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

The outspoken music duo ignited significant debate when they initiated crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the members' visas, compelling them to call off a planned North American tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial interview since the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

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

The artist added that the backlash the band faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Chant

After questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. Where the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents recorded later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of people acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Irish group another band, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he said, "since as with everything race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."