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

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken music pair sparked significant controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial public discussion after the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

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

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

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the show violated content guidelines 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 came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

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

"I take great issue 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 disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the chant 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 circumstances that are present in the region. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters 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 sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

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

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

Contrast with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."