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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed 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 Reactions

The outspoken music duo sparked significant debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the members' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the people that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

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

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's airing of the show violated content guidelines in regard to harm and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

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

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. In which the Palestinian population are being slain 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 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 community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan said he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish band another band, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he said, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are already the enemy."