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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

The vocal punk pair sparked significant controversy when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the members' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a planned North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion since the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the show violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and offence.

He told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the local people are being slain 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 play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Other Artists

As he mentioned he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish group another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."