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The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This vocal music duo ignited significant debate when they initiated crowd chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its agency UTA, and the American state department revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling the duo to call off a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial interview since the festival performance, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

On the Protest's Importance

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

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The musician claimed he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently determined that the BBC's broadcast of the performance breached content guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Even staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

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

His comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

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

"I believe I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Artists

As he said he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have also encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."