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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

The outspoken punk duo sparked widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. The slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its agency UTA, and the US state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a scheduled North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

During his first public discussion since the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback

The musician said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and stated that members of BBC employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

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

He informed Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

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

Intent Behind the Chant

After questioned what he intended by the chant "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 circumstances that exist in Palestine. Where the local population are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

Vylan also rejected assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic events reported later.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of people 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 Other Bands

As Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."