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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken music pair sparked widespread controversy when they led crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his initial public discussion after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to go on the festival 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 encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

The musician said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's airing of the performance violated editorial guidelines in regard to harm and offence.

He told Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "letdown" 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 Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' 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 response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

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

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."