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The frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Responses

This vocal music duo sparked widespread controversy when they initiated audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June set. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency UTA, and the American state department cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling the duo to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview after the festival show, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

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

He added that the backlash the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the individuals 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 conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Comments

The artist said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

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

Intent Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. In which the local people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance contributed to a spike in antisemitic events reported later.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

As he mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have likewise faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

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