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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

This vocal music pair ignited significant debate when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first interview after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

On the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the people that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the chant, and stated that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later found that the BBC's airing of the performance breached content standards in regard to offense and hurt.

He told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When questioned what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the local people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

As he mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have also encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."