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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken punk pair ignited widespread debate when they led crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. This slogan was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the members' visas, forcing the duo to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. 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 do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

This musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the performance violated content guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."

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

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

As Vylan said he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."