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The frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

This outspoken music pair ignited widespread debate when they initiated crowd calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. The chant was condemned by Glastonbury and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing them to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial public discussion since the festival show, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. For instance what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the criticism the duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the exclamation, and stated that staff of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the broadcaster's ECU later found that the network's airing of the performance breached content standards in relation to offense and offence.

He informed Theroux there was no indication 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 come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal slogan."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in anti-Jewish events recorded later.

"I don't think I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

As Vylan said he felt the duo had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "because as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."