Bob Vylan Stands by “Death to the IDF” Chant at Glastonbury: “I’d Do It Again Tomorrow”

Bob Vylan has publicly stated he does not regret leading the chant “death, death to the IDF” during his Glastonbury set earlier this year, insisting he would repeat it “tomorrow, twice on Sundays.”

The band’s frontman, Bobby Vylan (born Pascal Robinson‑Foster), discussed the incident and the ensuing controversy at length on The Louis Theroux Podcast. The chant, which references the Israeli Defense Forces, was performed on the West Holts stage on June 28, 2025 and was later the subject of an inquiry by Avon and Somerset Police.

Glastonbury organisers and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the chant, with Starmer describing it as “appalling hate speech.” In a post‑festival statement, the band clarified: “We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine.”

In the wake of the controversy, the band had their U.S. visas revoked by the State Department and were dropped by talent agency UTA. Several scheduled appearances, including slots at a Manchester festival and a concert in Amsterdam, were subsequently cancelled.

On the podcast, Bobby reiterated his lack of remorse. He said that if he returned to Glastonbury he would “do it again,” adding that the backlash he’s faced is small compared with the suffering he highlighted in Palestine.

Theroux’s episode was released at midnight on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. At the start of the show a disclaimer notes the conversation took place before a fatal terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue on October 2, 2025, and also before the ceasefire and prisoner exchanges announced on October 10, 2025.

Elsewhere in the interview, Vylan criticised Damon Albarn’s reaction to the chant, calling Albarn’s response lacking in “self‑awareness” and “disappointing.” Albarn described the moment as “one of the most spectacular misfires I’ve seen in my life,” a characterization that Vylan rejected — particularly Albarn’s use of the phrase “goose‑stepping,” which Vylan said should be reserved for references to Nazi Germany.

Bobby also claimed that BBC staff present after the set told him they “loved” the performance, a remark that contrasts with the BBC’s later response. BBC director Tim Davie stated he “deeply regret[s] that such offensive and deplorable behaviour appeared on the BBC.” On September 26, 2025 the broadcaster upheld complaints that the performance breached editorial guidelines about harm and offence, while finding it did not break impartiality rules or constitute an incitement to crime.

For context and to hear the full conversation, the complete episode of The Louis Theroux Podcast is available on Spotify.

Listen to the episode on Spotify

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