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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

The outspoken music duo ignited widespread debate when they initiated crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the US state department cancelled the artists' visas, compelling the duo to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion since the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury 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 Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their support, these are the people that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the network's airing of the show violated content guidelines in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. In which the local people are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

"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 play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported later.

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

Comparison with Other Artists

When he mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."