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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Responses

The outspoken punk duo ignited significant controversy when they initiated audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the artists' visas, forcing them to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the performance breached content 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 leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "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 chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "Stop 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 slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Artists

As he mentioned he thought the band had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Irish band another band, who have likewise encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with all things race becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the opponent."