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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

The vocal music pair sparked widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to perform at 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 added that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's airing of the performance violated editorial standards in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. In which the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also rejected assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic events reported later.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose 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 bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Artists

As Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are already the enemy."