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The frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The vocal music pair ignited widespread debate when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency UTA, and the American state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

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

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to go on 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 "small compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Feedback

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

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's airing of the performance breached content standards in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even occur 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. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End 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. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

When Vylan said he felt the band had been criticised more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."