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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken music duo ignited significant debate when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the chant, and stated that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the network's broadcast of the show violated editorial standards in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. 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!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

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

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "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 intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

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

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

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 later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

When he mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."