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

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This outspoken punk pair ignited significant controversy when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its representation UTA, and the American state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist said he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later determined that the BBC's airing of the performance violated editorial standards in regard to harm and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

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

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic events reported later.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Different Bands

As he said he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish band Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."