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Punk duo frontman 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 Exclamation and Official Reactions

This vocal music pair ignited significant controversy when they led crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation UTA, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, compelling them to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion after the festival performance, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

After asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'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 lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

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

Contrast with Different Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the opponent."