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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

The outspoken music pair ignited significant debate when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the artists' visas, forcing the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion after the festival performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury 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 criticism the duo faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The artist claimed he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later determined that the network's airing of the show breached editorial guidelines in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

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

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to permit that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. Where the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

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

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in antisemitic events recorded two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

As Vylan said he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish group another band, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with all things race becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."