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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 declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

This outspoken punk pair sparked significant debate when they initiated crowd chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The slogan was censured by festival organizers 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 American government revoked the members' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a planned North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are 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? Well, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

The artist said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's broadcast of the show violated editorial standards in relation to offense and offence.

He told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "showed no 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 position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

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

Meaning Behind the Chant

After questioned what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

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

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of people acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Artists

As Vylan said he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."