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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

The outspoken punk duo ignited significant debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June performance. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his first interview after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

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

He added that the backlash the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the people that I'm advocating 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 conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and stated that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's airing of the show violated content standards in regard to harm and hurt.

He informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

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

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' 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 asked what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. In which the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people 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 voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

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