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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken music pair sparked significant debate when they initiated audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation UTA, and the US state department revoked the members' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a planned North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion since the festival performance, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the BBC's airing of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to offense and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a controversy 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. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

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

His comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

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

Meaning Behind the Chant

After asked what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares 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 sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Artists

As Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."