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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This vocal punk duo sparked widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the festival show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

The artist said he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached content standards in regard to offense and offence.

He informed 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 [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

After asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the Palestinian people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in antisemitic events reported later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

As Vylan said he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish band another band, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

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