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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Reactions

This outspoken punk pair sparked significant controversy when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency UTA, and the American state department revoked the members' travel documents, compelling them to call off a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

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

However, the corporation's ECU later determined that the BBC's airing of the show violated editorial guidelines in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan told 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 leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

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

Meaning Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. In which the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan said he felt the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Irish band another band, who have also encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are already the enemy."