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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Reactions

This vocal punk pair sparked widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the artists' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a planned North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely 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 duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

This musician said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later found that the BBC's airing of the show breached editorial standards in relation to harm and offence.

He informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

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

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

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

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

After asked what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also rejected assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic events reported later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan said he thought the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."