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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Reactions

The vocal music pair sparked widespread debate when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency UTA, and the US government revoked the members' visas, compelling them to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial interview since the festival performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's airing of the show violated editorial standards in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "marching in tennis gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

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

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When asked what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people going out and going like '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 heavily than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group another band, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with everything ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."