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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" 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 Reactions

This outspoken music pair ignited significant debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the band encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This musician said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the show violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

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

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way 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 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."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to permit that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, 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 claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of people acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Artists

When Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "because as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."