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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

This outspoken punk pair ignited significant debate when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to call off a planned North American tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely 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 duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

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

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in relation to harm and hurt.

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

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "marching in sport gear."

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

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

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' 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 offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF 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 sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

As Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the enemy."