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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Responses

This vocal music pair sparked significant controversy when they initiated audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the artists' visas, compelling them to cancel a planned North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview since the festival show, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely 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 criticism the duo encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Chant's Importance

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

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

This musician said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's broadcast of the performance violated content standards in regard to offense and hurt.

He told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

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

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the local population are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

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

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the enemy."