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The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken music duo ignited widespread debate when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

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

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first public discussion after the festival performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. 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 people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

The artist claimed he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the corporation's ECU later found that the network's broadcast of the performance breached content guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

He informed the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

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

"The key issue is the situation that exist to permit that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Bands

As he said he thought the band had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group another band, who have also encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," he said, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."