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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

The outspoken music pair sparked widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June performance. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its agency UTA, and the US state department revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first interview after the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

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

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

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the people that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This musician claimed he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later found that the BBC's airing of the show violated content standards in regard to harm and offence.

He told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

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

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in antisemitic events recorded two days.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Artists

As Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the opponent."