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

Disputed Chant and Official Reactions

This outspoken punk duo sparked widespread controversy when they led audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation UTA, and the American government cancelled the artists' visas, forcing the duo to cancel a planned North American tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his first interview after the festival show, Vylan, whose birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

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

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

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm trying to do, but if I have their support, they're the people that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Surprising Response and BBC Feedback

This artist said he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's airing of the show violated editorial standards in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded at the Blur singer, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in sport gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the views of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is unplanned," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his answer was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Down with 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 platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in the region. In which the local people are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

"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 songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their performance contributed to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported later.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were many individuals of people acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Artists

When Vylan said he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Irish band another band, who have also faced criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "since as with all things ethnicity becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."