🔗 Share this article

The lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

This vocal music pair sparked significant debate when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June performance. This slogan was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling them to call off a planned North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first interview after the festival performance, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's ECU subsequently determined that the network's airing of the performance violated content standards in relation to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

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

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to permit that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. Where the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Comparison with Different Artists

As he mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have also encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."