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The frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken music duo sparked significant debate when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The chant was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first public discussion after the Glastonbury performance, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

On the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The artist claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the performance breached content standards in relation to harm and offence.

He informed the host there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'That 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 described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. In which the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

When he said he thought the band had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

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