🔗 Share this article

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

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

The vocal music duo ignited widespread debate when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its agency UTA, and the US state department revoked the artists' visas, compelling them to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, they're 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? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Feedback

This musician claimed he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the network's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in regard to harm and offence.

He told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End 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 songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

When he mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."