Bobby Vylan's Position on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "Zero Remorse"
The frontman 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 Chant and Official Reactions
The vocal punk duo ignited widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."
Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the members' visas, forcing the duo to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.
Interview with the Podcaster
In his initial public discussion since the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:
"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."
Regarding the Protest's Significance
"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their support, they're the people that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some conservative media?"
Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback
This artist said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that members 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 show violated editorial standards in relation to harm and hurt.
Vylan told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"
Response to Blur Frontman
The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."
Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.
"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.
"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. 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 meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."
"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.
"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect chant."
Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations
Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported two days.
"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.
Contrast with Different Bands
As Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.
"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."