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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

The vocal music duo sparked widespread debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. This chant was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American government revoked the artists' visas, forcing the duo to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial public discussion after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the band faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing politician or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

The musician said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's airing of the show breached content guidelines in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

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

His reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

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

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

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

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

As he mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

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