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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 the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Reactions

This vocal punk duo ignited significant debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. The slogan was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its representation UTA, and the American state department revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a scheduled North American tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first interview after the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the duo faced was "small compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

This musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in regard to harm and offence.

He told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"The key issue is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "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 lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic events reported later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

As he mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."