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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

This vocal punk duo ignited widespread debate when they initiated crowd calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer performance. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency UTA, and the American government revoked the artists' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial interview after the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance what if I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes 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 backlash the band faced was "small compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

On the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The musician said he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's airing of the performance breached content standards in relation to offense and offence.

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

Response to Blur Frontman

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

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

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

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded two days.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Artists

When he mentioned he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with everything ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."