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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Official Responses

The vocal music duo ignited widespread controversy when they initiated crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their June set. The chant was censured by Glastonbury and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its representation UTA, and the American government revoked the artists' travel documents, compelling them to cancel a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, Vylan, using his real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would do it all again, he responded:

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

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

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're 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 angered some rightwing official or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

This artist claimed he was taken aback by the uproar sparked by the exclamation, and asserted that members of BBC staff at Glastonbury told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's broadcast of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It wasn't like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It was normal. Nobody suspected anything. Nobody. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "marching in sport gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' suggests that somehow the views of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he explained.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'marching' 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 offensive. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When asked what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," Vylan clarified the chant itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the conditions that persist to allow that protest to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in the region. Where the local people are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

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

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported later.

"I believe I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people going out and going like 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Other Bands

When he said he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the conflict, the host brought up the Ireland-based band Kneecap, who have likewise encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's a notable point," Vylan responded, "because as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are already the opponent."