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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Reactions

This vocal punk pair ignited significant debate when they initiated crowd chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. The chant was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the members' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

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

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

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's airing of the performance breached editorial guidelines in relation to offense and offence.

He informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the band 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 only used around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "because as with everything ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the opponent."