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

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

This outspoken music duo ignited widespread controversy when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US government cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial interview since the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the network's airing of the show breached editorial standards in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."

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

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

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

As he mentioned he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he said, "because as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."