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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

The outspoken punk duo ignited widespread debate when they initiated crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This slogan was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the American government revoked the members' travel documents, compelling them to call off a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the festival performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not 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 individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback

The musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's airing of the performance breached editorial standards in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

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

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."