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The lead singer Bobby 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."

Disputed Chant and Political Reactions

The vocal music pair sparked significant controversy when they initiated audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American government revoked the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist said he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently determined that the network's airing of the performance breached editorial guidelines in relation to offense and offence.

He informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. 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 called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in sport gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the views of the band or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to permit that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End 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 Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

When he mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group another band, who have also encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."