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

Disputed Exclamation and Official Reactions

The outspoken music duo ignited widespread controversy when they led crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer performance. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the artists' visas, compelling them to call off a planned North American tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first interview after the festival performance, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

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

He informed Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

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

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

When Vylan said he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the enemy."