Bob Vylan Stance on Glastonbury Israel Defense Forces Chant: "No Remorse"
The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses
This outspoken punk pair sparked widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."
Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling them to call off a scheduled North American concert series.
Interview with Louis Theroux
During his first interview since the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:
"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
He noted that the backlash the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals 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 trying to do, but since I have their support, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some conservative media?"
Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments
This artist said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."
Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's airing of the performance breached editorial standards in regard to offense and offence.
He told the host there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"
Reply to Damon Albarn
The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."
His reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.
"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.
"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."
Intent Behind the Chant
After asked what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."
"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. Where the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.
"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."
Denial of Antisemitism Claims
The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.
"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he said.
Comparison with Other Artists
As he mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more severely 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-Palestine messaging.
"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."