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The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

This vocal music pair sparked widespread controversy when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department revoked the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose 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."

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

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

This musician said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the network's broadcast of the performance breached editorial standards in regard to harm and offence.

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

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the politics of the band 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 the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he meant 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 take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

When Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the enemy."