Bob Vylan Stance on Glastonbury IDF Chant: "No Remorse"

The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken music pair ignited significant controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion after the festival show, the musician, whose birth 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, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist said he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the network's airing of the show violated content standards in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters 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 Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

When he mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

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

Brittney Church
Brittney Church

Elara Vance is a seasoned political analyst with a focus on UK affairs, providing sharp commentary and data-driven insights.