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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken punk pair sparked widespread controversy when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, the band was released by its agency UTA, and the American state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial interview since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the duo faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, 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 regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Comments

The artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's ECU subsequently determined that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated content standards in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed 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 described him as "marching in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When questioned what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to permit that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Bands

When he mentioned he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have also faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with everything race becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."