🔗 Share this article

The lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Responses

This vocal music duo sparked widespread debate when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US state department cancelled the members' visas, compelling them to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's airing of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

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

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

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

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. Where the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

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

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan said he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the enemy."