Bobby Vylan's Position on Festival Israel Defense Forces Protest: "No Remorse"

Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken punk pair ignited widespread controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the festival show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, 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."

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

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have their support, they're the people that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

This musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's airing of the show violated editorial standards in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported two days.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Bands

When Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish band another band, who have also faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with all things race becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the opponent."

Kristin Farrell
Kristin Farrell

A tech enthusiast and business consultant with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and market analysis.