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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

The vocal music pair ignited widespread controversy when they initiated crowd calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the artists' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a planned North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first public discussion since the festival performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely 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 encountered was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Importance

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

Surprising Reaction and BBC Comments

This musician said he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's broadcast of the show violated content guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

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

His reaction was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he stated.

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

Meaning Behind the Slogan

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

"What is important is the conditions that exist to permit that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the Palestinian population are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF 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 sing songs. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

Vylan also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

As he mentioned he thought the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have also faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he responded, "since as with all things ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an easier target, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."