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

The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

The vocal music pair sparked significant debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was dropped by its representation UTA, and the American state department revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his first public discussion since the festival performance, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury 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 faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Feedback

The artist claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the network's airing of the show breached content guidelines in regard to harm and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned 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 permit that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. Where the local population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of people acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Artists

When he mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish band another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "since as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."

Toni Beck
Toni Beck

An avid hiker and travel writer with over a decade of experience exploring remote trails and sharing inspiring journeys.