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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Responses

This vocal music pair sparked widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the members' visas, compelling them to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial interview since the festival performance, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show violated content guidelines in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. 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 noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

As he mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."