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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

The vocal punk duo ignited significant controversy when they initiated audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the US state department cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a planned North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes 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 faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

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

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's airing of the performance breached editorial standards in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan 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 come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. In which the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

When he said he felt the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, the host brought up the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."