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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Official Responses

The outspoken punk pair ignited significant debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer performance. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government revoked the members' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his first public discussion after the festival performance, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

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

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm trying to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and BBC Feedback

The musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that members of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the BBC's broadcast of the show violated editorial standards in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan informed Theroux 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. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the politics of the duo or our position on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "That's it. 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 meant by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that exist to allow that protest to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. Where the local people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in anti-Jewish incidents recorded two days.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

When Vylan mentioned he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux brought up the Irish group Kneecap, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."