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The lead singer of Bob 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 Chant and Official Reactions

This vocal music pair sparked widespread controversy when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its representation UTA, and the US government cancelled the artists' visas, compelling the duo to call off a planned North American tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

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

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

On the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the individuals that I'm doing it 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 conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

This musician said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU later found that the network's airing of the performance violated content guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He 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 [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His reaction 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 politics of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local people are being killed at an alarming 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, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a spike in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

When he mentioned he felt the band had been criticised more severely than others for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," he said, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."