S6 EP3: Bob Vylan on his controversial Glastonbury performance
The Louis Theroux Podcast
Art as Political Commitment
Bob cites artists like Ice-T and Public Enemy, framing his music as choosing a side and documenting struggle through art.
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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