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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Reactions

This outspoken punk pair ignited widespread debate when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the artists' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first interview since the festival show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some rightwing official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and stated that staff of the broadcaster 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 network's broadcast of the show breached content standards in relation to offense and offence.

He told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Even staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

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

His comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object 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 disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

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

"The key issue is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people 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 spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Bands

As Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with everything ethnicity comes to play a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."