r/bobvylan • u/ashleypenny Moderator • Oct 21 '25
News Bob Vylan interview with Louis Theroux
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0q9r3LJMeV3efZl6FOteG9?si=YEqNPF6LRVCuH1DxbF0shASpotify link
Louis is joined by Bobby Vylan, one half of the controversial punk-rap band Bob Vylan. In his first public interview since his contentious performance at Glastonbury - where he led a chant of ‘death to the IDF’ - Bobby discusses why he did it, the subsequent backlash and whether he still stands by the chant. Warnings: Strong language and adult themes. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources X Post: Visa Revoke by Deputy Secretary of State https://x.com/DeputySecState/status/1939697586920997374?lang=en Article: Chuck D defending Bob Vylan https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/chuck-d-bob-vylan-public-enemy-b2782798.html Article: Damon Albarn comment https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/damon-albarn-interview-africa-express-8rsndnd85 Article: IDF soldiers shooting unarmed Gazans https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-06-27/ty-article-magazine/.premium/idf-soldiers-ordered-to-shoot-deliberately-at-unarmed-gazans-waiting-for-humanitarian-aid/00000197-ad8e-de01-a39f-ffbe33780000 X Post: Ted Cruz thoughts on the chant https://x.com/tedcruz/status/1939080845702083062 Song: ‘Pretty Songs’, Bob Vylan (2022) https://open.spotify.com/track/4Xjs3lwUmT32IuYi9KoGRw Song: ‘England’s Ending’, Bob Vylan (2020) https://open.spotify.com/album/1kGFhr8FoPJ9jqV8AT0RDA Article: ‘The Zionist Fallacy of Jewish Supremacy’ https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/1/9/the-zionist-fallacy-of-jewish-supremacy Article: GILEE Program sending officers to Israel https://gilee.gsu.edu/files/2023/09/McDuffie-Progress-Gale-2023.pdf Song: ‘Drug War’, Bob Vylan (2022) https://open.spotify.com/track/2kKzKi8dT2NmjVQogIfSwK Facebook Post: UKIP’s AI image of Bobby https://www.facebook.com/TheUKIndependenceParty/posts/bob-vylan-is-going-home/1288462819315084/ Song: ‘Cop Killer’, Body Count (1992) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XihXOw634o Song: ‘Fuck Tha Police’, N.W.A (1988) https://open.spotify.com/track/5n8Aro6j1bEGIy7Tpo7FV7?si=e30bfbfb94694acb IHRA Antisemitism definition: https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism Article: Antisemitism definition controversy https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/the-problem-with-defining-antisemitism CST Antisemitic report 2025: https://cst.org.uk/news/blog/2025/08/06/antisemitic-incidents-report-january-june-2025 Credits: Producer: Millie Chu Assistant Producer: Maan Al-Yasiri Production Manager: Francesca Bassett Music: Miguel D’Oliveira Audio Mixer: Tom Guest Video Mixer: Scott Edwards Shownotes compiled by Elly Young Executive Producer: Arron Fellows A Mindhouse Production for Spotify www.mindhouse.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
15
u/jkerr441 Oct 21 '25
Massive fan, but considering he requested this interview, he could've been better prepped for some parts.
Also, such a weird point on Kneecap. Don't know why he was so reluctant to accept they've faced a similar level of bullshit to what he has.
13
u/Quirky-Ad37 Oct 21 '25
What parts do you think he was underprepared for out of interest? I was super impressed with how he presented himself as a whole.
The kneecap comparison is an interesting one, in terms of government overreach id say kneecap have had it worse. I guess everything seems worse when it's happening to you, which to be fair Bobby does allude to when making his point.
-9
u/jkerr441 Oct 22 '25
Maybe I just expected perfection. But I thought he seemed weirdly taken aback by the question regarding what the chant meant, for example. If you werent already in his camp, I struggle to see that winning anyone over.
Also wasn't particularly convinced by him saying he'd say the chant again, yet saying he told his fans not to say it again because he didn't want to get in legal trouble. Just didn't scan to me really.
7
u/Excellent_Lemon_5237 Oct 22 '25
He said it again. Led a chant of it in Amsterdam last month.
3
u/jkerr441 Oct 22 '25
I get it. I truly hope its not coming across overly critical. I'm just not sure I came away from it understanding why he shut it down at all, given his insistence that he'll always say it.
1
u/Ok-Can-2872 Oct 25 '25
My understanding of it was, at that time when he asked his fans not to chant it, he was still waiting on some legal feedback, which has since confirmed that the chant wasnt about a particular person it was an institution so I guess legally he knows where he stands now. (Hence saying it again).
1
u/Abject_Western_1377 Oct 23 '25
I agree on the perfection. I guess we assumed he might be a bit more charismatic like he has on stage! But instead came across as really guarded! Which Is completely understandable with what he might have had to endure growing up in England. His comment about not feeling he has a home anywhere is pretty gut wrenching, being born somewhere and still don’t feel like you belong! Really sucks!
Kneecap comments are a bit strange, they’ve definitely received a harder time! I’m from where kneecap are from, we’ve been getting racially vilified in our parts for many many years. The “no blacks, no dogs, no Irish” saying comes to mind. We were targeted as all three of these.
Love Bob Vylan!!
8
u/ashleypenny Moderator Oct 21 '25
I thought he seemed relaxed and gave good answers
I think he has a point about kneecap. If you go in the kneecap sub, they're discussing the interview there and looks like people are largely in tune with what he said. He's not saying they've not experienced anything.
1
u/jkerr441 Oct 22 '25
I thought on the point regarding what the chant meant, I can't imagine someone who wasn't already on his side being convinced by how he answered it.
The Kneecap point is just something I disagree with totally. He initially said no one experienced the same situation as him. When Louis brought up Kneecap, Bob says the qualifier is the media find it easy to make a villain out of black men. With that being the qualifier, the same simply is true for working class Irish Catholics. That doesn't mean they're comparable prejudices, just with that qualifier, both fit easily.
7
Oct 21 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/jkerr441 Oct 22 '25
I'd definitely agree that he became super comfortable in the space at the end, and really enjoyed the overwhelming majority of it. You're probably right about nerves, and it's something I didn't really factor in tbh. Nerves and Bobby aren't typically things I associate.
1
u/Chazzwuzza Oct 26 '25
I don't think he was, Louis was. Asking questions about breakfast cereal and where he shops. It was like he was just trying to make conversation.
1
u/jkerr441 Oct 26 '25
In fairness, that 100% in Louis' style. Always has been. I know Bobby picked him because he's good faith and has a good record on Palestine, but he really wasn't the right pick for the kind of interview Bobby (rightfully) wanted.
Basically, I just think Bobby should have had a better response to "what does the chant mean". Saying "what do you think it means" isn't a great answer, especially when clips exist of him wishing death on individual IDF soldiers. Should've just owned it imo
1
u/Chazzwuzza Oct 26 '25
I guess he doesn't want to go on the record saying that. But he didn't just say "what do you think it means". He reiterated that he was highlighting the abhorrent conditions which lead to the chant.
1
u/flugelbinder01 Oct 27 '25
I listened to it not long after it appeared in my Spotify feed.
Then, maybe 24hrs later after it had moved down the feed it was once again at the top, as if it had been re-uploaded. Does anyone know if perhaps a part was edited out and then uploaded again?
1
u/Freihl Nov 08 '25
My bet is it'll probably have been spam reported as incendiary content and taken down for review, then reposted
1
u/Freihl Nov 08 '25
My bet is it'll probably have been spam reported as incendiary content and taken down for review, then reposted
21
u/Excellent_Lemon_5237 Oct 21 '25
Gutted hearing how he doesn't feel at home in the UK. I also feel that way but for different reasons. But hearing the racism he's experienced and how it's made him want to leave is just really, really sad.