Bobby Vylan Stance on Festival Israel Defense Forces Protest: "No Regrets"

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

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

The vocal punk pair sparked widespread debate when they initiated audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer performance. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the US state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the people that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's airing of the show violated editorial standards in regard to offense and hurt.

He told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

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

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

"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 Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."

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

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

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

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

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

When he said he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Irish group another band, who have also faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are already the enemy."