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The frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

The outspoken punk duo ignited widespread controversy when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the artists' visas, forcing the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial public discussion since the festival performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have their 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 regret? Well, because I've upset some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Comments

The artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's airing of the performance breached content guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

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

His comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

After questioned what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

As he said he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."