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

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

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

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation UTA, and the US state department cancelled the artists' visas, forcing the duo to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

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

He added that the criticism the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are 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? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

The artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted 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 found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated content standards in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. In which the local population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of people acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Artists

As Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish band another band, who have likewise encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "since as with everything race comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."