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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

The outspoken music duo ignited significant controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation UTA, and the American government cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial public discussion after the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, they're the people that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the show violated content standards in relation to offense and offence.

He told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to permit that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop 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. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

As Vylan said he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he said, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."