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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

This vocal music pair sparked widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The slogan was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the artists' visas, forcing the duo to call off a planned North American concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his initial interview since the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to perform at 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 backlash the band faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

The artist said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the network's broadcast of the show violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object 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 disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

After asked what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. 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: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

As Vylan said he felt the duo had been targeted more heavily than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "because as with all things race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."