🔗 Share this article

Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken music pair sparked widespread controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview after the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the band faced was "small compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Chant's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's broadcast of the show violated content standards in regard to offense and offence.

He told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

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

Intent Behind the Slogan

After asked what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the local people are being killed at an disturbing 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, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents recorded two days.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If 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.

Comparison with Other Bands

When Vylan said he felt the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "because as with everything ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are already the enemy."