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The frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken punk duo sparked widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its representation UTA, and the American government revoked the members' travel documents, forcing them to call off a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion since the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their support, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the chant, and stated that staff of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later found that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated content standards in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. Where the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic incidents recorded two days.

"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan said he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group another band, who have also faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the opponent."