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

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

This vocal music pair sparked widespread controversy when they led audience calls of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their summer set. This chant was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the members' travel documents, forcing the duo to call off a planned North American concert series.

Conversation with Louis Theroux

In his initial interview since the Glastonbury show, the musician, whose birth name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Absolutely. Like suppose 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 backlash the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, 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 regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

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

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently found that the network's broadcast of the show violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also hit back at Damon Albarn, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and characterized him as "marching in tennis gear."

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

"I just want to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the politics of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "That's it. And for him to use that wording, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the local population are being killed at an alarming rate. Who cares 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 sing songs. I am a songwriter. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative impact here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

As he said he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the conflict, Theroux referenced the Irish group another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "because as with everything race comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."