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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

This outspoken punk duo sparked widespread controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American government cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first public discussion after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

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

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

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The musician said he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the show breached editorial guidelines in relation to offense and hurt.

He informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents recorded 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 saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

As Vylan said he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

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