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The frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

This vocal music pair ignited widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

On the Chant's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance breached editorial standards in regard to harm and offence.

He informed the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When asked what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

When he said he felt the duo had been criticised more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the opponent."