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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Responses

The outspoken music pair ignited significant controversy when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the members' visas, forcing them to cancel a planned North American concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his first public discussion after the festival show, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful 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 individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and BBC Comments

The artist said he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster staff at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show breached content guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

His reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

After questioned what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish band Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."