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

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken punk duo sparked widespread debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The chant was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the members' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first interview after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

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

He added that the criticism the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their support, they're the individuals that I'm advocating 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 conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Feedback

This musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's airing of the performance breached content standards in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

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

His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Chant

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Artists

As he said he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than others for speaking about the situation, the host brought up the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the opponent."