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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken punk pair ignited widespread debate when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the artists' visas, forcing them to cancel a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal 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 perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their 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? Well, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's airing of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

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

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

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

"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 disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

When he mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the opponent."