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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

The vocal punk pair ignited significant controversy when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the members' visas, forcing them to call off a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion after the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the band faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the people that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later determined that the network's airing of the show violated editorial standards in regard to harm and hurt.

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

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the local population are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported two days.

"I believe I have caused 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, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Contrast with Other Artists

As he mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."