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

Controversial Chant and Political Reactions

This vocal punk pair ignited widespread controversy when they initiated crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the artists' visas, forcing the duo to cancel a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first public discussion since the festival performance, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's airing of the performance violated content standards in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

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

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

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

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

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. In which the local people are being slain at an disturbing 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 play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Artists

As he mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group another band, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."