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

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken music duo sparked significant debate when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department cancelled the artists' visas, compelling the duo to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the duo faced was "small compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Comments

The musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's broadcast of the show violated editorial standards in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan informed the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

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

Meaning Behind the Chant

After asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

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

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I believe 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, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he felt the duo had been criticised more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."