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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

The outspoken music duo ignited widespread debate when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his first interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

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

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

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

The musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached content guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed the host there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

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

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. In which the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also rejected claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

When he said he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."