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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Reactions

The outspoken punk pair sparked significant debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the members' visas, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

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

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, they're the people that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

The musician said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's airing of the show breached content guidelines in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's 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 Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "marching in sport gear."

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the politics of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' 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 response was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

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

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. 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.

Contrast with Different Artists

As Vylan said he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "because as with everything ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than they are because we are already the enemy."