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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken punk duo ignited widespread debate when they initiated audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a planned North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

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

The artist added that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their support, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that staff 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 network's broadcast of the performance violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "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. Not a soul. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

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

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our stance 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. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the local people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF 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 sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, the host brought up the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."