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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken music pair sparked significant debate when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department revoked the artists' visas, forcing them to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial interview since the festival performance, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are 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 BBC Comments

This musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's broadcast of the show breached editorial guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

He told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

After asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I don't think I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of people acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Artists

As Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are already the enemy."