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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This outspoken punk duo ignited significant controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the artists' travel documents, forcing them to call off a planned North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first interview after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

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

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

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

However, the corporation's ECU later determined that the network's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in relation to offense and hurt.

He 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 [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

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

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

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