Bob Vylan Stance on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "Zero Remorse"
Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
Controversial Chant and Political Reactions
The vocal music duo sparked widespread debate when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."
Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the US government cancelled the artists' visas, forcing them to call off a planned North American concert series.
Conversation with the Podcaster
In his first interview since the festival performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:
"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
The artist added that the backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."
On the Protest's Significance
"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative news outlet?"
Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback
This musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."
Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated editorial standards in regard to offense and offence.
He told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"
Response to Damon Albarn
Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."
Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.
"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.
"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."
Intent Behind the Chant
After asked what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."
"What is important is the situation that exist to permit that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist 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 noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."
Denial of Hate Speech Allegations
Vylan also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.
"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.
Contrast with Different Bands
As Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Irish band Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.
"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."