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

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

This outspoken music duo sparked significant debate when they initiated audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was dropped by its agency UTA, and the American government cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial interview after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the band encountered was "small compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This musician claimed he was surprised 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 broadcast of the performance violated content standards in regard to harm and hurt.

He told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said 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 Palestinian people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "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. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with all things race becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the enemy."