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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken punk pair sparked significant debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation UTA, and the US state department cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first interview after the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

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

The artist noted that the criticism the duo faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," 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 advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Feedback

The artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the network's broadcast of the show violated content guidelines in regard to harm and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute 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 was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated 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."

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. Where the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase 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 lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set led to a spike in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Bands

As he said he felt the duo had been criticised more severely than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group another band, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he said, "because as with all things ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."