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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has expressed 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."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken punk pair sparked significant controversy when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose 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."

He added that the backlash the duo faced was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Feedback

This musician said he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show violated content standards in regard to offense and offence.

He told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked 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 Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to permit that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'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 lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

As he said he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."