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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Responses

The outspoken punk pair ignited significant controversy when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June performance. The chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its representation UTA, and the American state department cancelled the artists' visas, compelling the duo to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial interview after the festival show, the musician, using his real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the chant," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the individuals that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

The artist said he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the performance violated editorial standards in relation to harm and hurt.

He told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

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

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

Intent Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to perform. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish events reported two days.

"I believe I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Different Artists

When Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been criticised more severely than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

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