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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

The outspoken music pair sparked significant debate when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department revoked the artists' visas, compelling the duo to call off a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his initial public discussion since the festival performance, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the band encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The musician said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

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

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the local population are being slain at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

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

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a spike in antisemitic incidents recorded later.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Artists

When he mentioned he felt 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 also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with everything race comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."