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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Reactions

This vocal music pair ignited significant controversy when they initiated audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June performance. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial public discussion since the festival show, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After 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 without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the duo faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some conservative official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments

The musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

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

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in sport gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

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

Meaning Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the conditions that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. Where the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Artists

As he mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, the host brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "because as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."