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The frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

This vocal punk pair ignited significant controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the artists' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion after the festival performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

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

The artist noted that the backlash the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

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

He told Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected 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 called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

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

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. Where the local population are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop 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. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

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

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

Contrast with Different Artists

When Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the situation, the host brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."