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

Controversial Chant and Official Responses

The outspoken punk duo sparked significant controversy when they initiated audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer performance. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the members' visas, compelling them to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This artist said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the performance breached editorial standards in regard to offense and offence.

He told Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. In which the local population are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents reported later.

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

Comparison with Other Artists

As he said he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."