S6 EP3: Bob Vylan on his controversial Glastonbury performance
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Lyrics, Provocation and Artistic Intent
Louis reads provocative Bob Vylan lyrics and they discuss how lyrics are used, taken out of context, and weaponized by critics.
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
Article: Damon Albarn comment
https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/damon-albarn-interview-africa-express-8rsndnd85
Article: IDF soldiers shooting unarmed Gazans
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
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