Bob Vylan Stance on Glastonbury IDF Protest: "No Regrets"
The lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses
The outspoken music pair ignited widespread debate when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."
After the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.
Conversation with Louis Theroux
During his first public discussion since the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:
"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."
The artist noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."
Regarding the Protest's Significance
"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"
Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments
The musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."
However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's airing of the performance breached editorial standards in relation to harm and offence.
He told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"
Response to Damon Albarn
Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "marching in sport gear."
His comment was "letdown" 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 Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.
"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."
Meaning Behind the Chant
When questioned what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."
"The key issue is the conditions that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. In which the local population are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.
"Death to the IDF 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 sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."
Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations
The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents recorded two days.
"I believe I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.
Comparison with Different Artists
As Vylan said he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host brought up the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.
"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."