Bobby Vylan Stance on Glastonbury IDF Chant: "Zero Regrets"

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

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

The vocal music duo sparked significant debate when they initiated audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June performance. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at 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."

The artist noted that the backlash the band encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have their support, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the show violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. 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 called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term '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 disgusting. I think his response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

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

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop 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. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a spike in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

As he said he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."