Bob Vylan Position on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "Zero Regrets"

Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken music duo ignited widespread controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation UTA, and the US government revoked the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his first public discussion since the festival show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on 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 backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Comments

This musician said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the network's airing of the show violated content standards in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After asked what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

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

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'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 lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of people acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

As Vylan said he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have also encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "because as with everything ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."

Rachel Allen
Rachel Allen

An avid hiker and writer sharing personal tales from remote trails and practical advice for safe outdoor adventures.