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The frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

The outspoken music duo sparked significant debate when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first interview after the Glastonbury performance, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're 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 angered some conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Comments

The artist said he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the network's airing of the show breached editorial guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

He told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded 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 comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

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

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being slain 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 caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech 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 events reported later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

As he mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Irish group another band, who have likewise encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than others are because we are already the enemy."