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The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

This vocal music pair ignited widespread controversy when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This chant was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the members' visas, compelling them to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first interview after the festival show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The artist said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's airing of the performance breached editorial standards in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object 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."

Meaning Behind the Chant

After questioned what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop 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 songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic events recorded two days.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

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