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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."

Disputed Chant and Political Responses

The outspoken punk duo sparked widespread debate when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the US state department revoked the members' visas, compelling them to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion after the festival show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

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

He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's airing of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to offense and hurt.

Vylan told 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 come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

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

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the politics of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified 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 the region. In which the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"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 lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported later.

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

Contrast with Other Artists

When he mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."