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The frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Responses

This outspoken punk duo sparked significant debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the American state department cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing them to cancel a planned US and Canada concert series.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview after the festival performance, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

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

The artist added that the criticism the band faced was "small compared to what people in Gaza are experiencing."

On the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to exaggerate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've upset some conservative politician or some conservative news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

This musician claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the chant, and asserted that staff of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's ECU later found that the network's airing of the performance breached editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan told the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who called the chant "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the views of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' 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 disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the local population are being killed at an disturbing 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 play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set led to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I believe I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of individuals acting and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

As he said he thought the band had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the conflict, the host referenced the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have also faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's a notable point," he 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 already the opponent."