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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated 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."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

The vocal music pair ignited widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first interview after the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the band faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Chant's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist said he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the chant, and stated that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the network's broadcast of the performance violated content standards in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," 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 Slogan

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

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the local population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

As Vylan said he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than others for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish band another band, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with all things race comes to play a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."