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

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken music pair sparked significant controversy when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the US state department cancelled the members' visas, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the festival performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the network's broadcast of the show breached editorial standards in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase '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."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'End, End 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 songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

As he mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the enemy."