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Punk duo frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

The vocal punk duo sparked significant debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department revoked the members' visas, forcing them to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his first interview since the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to go on Glastonbury 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 added that the backlash the duo faced 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 slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This artist said he was surprised by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the show breached content standards in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term '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 answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

After 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. Where the local population 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 play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have also encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "because as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than they are because we are already the enemy."