🔗 Share this article

The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The vocal punk duo ignited significant debate when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion after the festival performance, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

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

He added that the criticism the duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show violated editorial guidelines in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"The key issue is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their performance contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."