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The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken punk duo ignited widespread debate when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the US government cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling them to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first interview after the festival performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments

This musician said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance breached content standards in relation to offense and offence.

He informed Theroux there was no sign 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 leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Even staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic events recorded two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Comparison with Different Artists

When Vylan said he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with everything ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."