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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

This vocal music duo ignited significant debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer performance. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' visas, forcing them to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first public discussion since the festival show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist said he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and stated that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance breached content standards in regard to offense and hurt.

He told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

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

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the politics of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

When Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with everything race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."