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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

This vocal music duo sparked widespread controversy when they led crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The slogan was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the artists' visas, forcing them to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

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

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

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's broadcast of the performance violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in tennis gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the politics of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. In which the Palestinian people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their set led to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Comparison with Other Artists

When he said he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish band another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."