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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 declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This outspoken punk duo ignited significant controversy when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the members' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first interview after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance 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, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Comments

The musician claimed he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the network's broadcast of the show breached content guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

He informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the situation that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"The phrase 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 sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in antisemitic events reported later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Comparison with Other Artists

When he mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he said, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are already the enemy."