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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

The vocal music pair ignited widespread debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the artists' visas, forcing the duo to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first interview after the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

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

The artist added that the backlash the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later determined that the network's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

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

Meaning Behind the Slogan

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

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian population are being killed 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, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

As he said he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with all things ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."