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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Reactions

The outspoken music duo sparked significant controversy when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June performance. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. 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 noted that the backlash the band encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

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

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the network's broadcast of the performance violated editorial standards in regard to harm and offence.

Vylan informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

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

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

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

As he said he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish group another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the opponent."