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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

This outspoken music duo ignited significant debate when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The chant was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was dropped by its representation UTA, and the US state department cancelled the artists' visas, compelling them to call off a planned North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

During his first interview since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's ECU later found that the network's airing of the show violated editorial standards in relation to harm and offence.

He informed the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

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

His reaction was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way 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 typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even take place 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. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic events reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Artists

When Vylan said he thought the band had been criticised more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have also faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the opponent."