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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Reactions

The vocal punk pair sparked significant debate when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the US government revoked the members' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first public discussion since the festival performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury 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 backlash the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have their support, these are the people 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 conservative politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's ECU later determined that the network's airing of the show violated content guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

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

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

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Comparison with Different Artists

When Vylan said he thought the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Irish band another band, who have also faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he said, "since as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the enemy."