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

Controversial Exclamation and Official Reactions

The outspoken music pair ignited significant debate when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department cancelled the members' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his initial interview since the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the band encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have their backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, they're the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the network's broadcast of the show violated editorial standards in regard to harm and offence.

He informed the host there was no indication 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 suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in the region. Where the local people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic events reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan said he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish band Kneecap, who have likewise faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan said, "since as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."