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

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

The vocal punk duo sparked widespread debate when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer performance. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

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

"Oh yeah. For instance suppose I was to go on Glastonbury again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the backlash the duo encountered was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the people that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The musician claimed he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and stated that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU subsequently found that the BBC's airing of the show violated editorial standards in regard to offense and hurt.

He told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Even staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After asked what he meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the situation that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in Palestine. Where the local people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he added: "'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 lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their performance led to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Artists

When Vylan said he thought the band had been targeted more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host brought up the Irish group Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."