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The lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

This outspoken punk duo ignited widespread debate when they led crowd chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have their support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Comments

This musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the performance was "excellent."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the network's airing of the show breached editorial standards in regard to harm and hurt.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to permit that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

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

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with all things race becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."