Bob Vylan Stance on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "Zero Remorse"

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

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

The outspoken punk pair ignited significant debate when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. The chant was condemned 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 UTA, and the American government revoked the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first interview since the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance 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."

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

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their 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? Well, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

The artist claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the network's airing of the performance breached editorial guidelines in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"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 offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase 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 lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

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

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Irish group Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."

Angela Frye
Angela Frye

Elara is a passionate writer and digital storyteller with a love for poetry and nature-inspired content.