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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Responses

The outspoken music pair sparked widespread controversy when they led crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department cancelled the members' visas, compelling them to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial public discussion after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

On the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, 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? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

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

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the network's broadcast of the performance breached editorial guidelines in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

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

"The key issue is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported later.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

As he mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based 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 more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the enemy."