🔗 Share this article

The lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

The vocal music duo sparked widespread debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the artists' travel documents, forcing them to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the duo faced was "small compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Chant's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, these are the individuals 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 official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance breached content guidelines in regard to harm and offence.

He informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "marching in tennis gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our stance 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 wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

As he mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."