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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

The outspoken punk pair ignited widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion since the festival show, the musician, using his birth 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 Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

The musician claimed he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU subsequently determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached content guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

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

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term '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 offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

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

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

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

"I don't think I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

When Vylan said he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "because as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."