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The frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

This outspoken music duo sparked significant controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial interview since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose 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 criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and stated that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's airing of the performance violated content standards in regard to offense and offence.

He informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the local population are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End 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 lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events recorded later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

When he mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."