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Punk duo frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at Glastonbury and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Reactions

The outspoken punk pair ignited widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, the band was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview since the festival show, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. 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 "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, these are the people that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Comments

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 set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the network's airing of the performance breached editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed the host there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and described Vylan as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom 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 added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," Vylan said 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 circumstances that exist in Palestine. In which the local population are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded two days.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of people acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Different Artists

When Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "because as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."