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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken punk pair ignited widespread debate when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing them to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his initial public discussion after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

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

He noted that the criticism the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Importance

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

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated editorial standards in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed the host there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan 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 "marching in sport gear."

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "Stop 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 songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

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

Comparison with Different Artists

As Vylan mentioned he felt the duo had been criticised more severely than others for speaking about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish band another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with all things race comes to play a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the opponent."