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The frontman of Bob Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Exclamation and Political Reactions

The vocal music pair ignited significant debate when they initiated audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June performance. The chant was censured by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US state department cancelled the artists' visas, forcing the duo to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Interview with Louis Theroux

In his initial public discussion since the Glastonbury performance, the musician, whose real name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. When asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the duo faced was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their support, they're the people that I'm advocating for, these are the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've angered some conservative politician or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Comments

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later determined that the network's airing of the performance breached content standards in relation to offense and offence.

Vylan told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Even staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who labeled the protest "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized Vylan as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

Albarn's comment was "letdown" and "lacked self-awareness," he remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that in some way the politics of the duo or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I strongly object with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around Nazi Germany," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his response was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

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

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

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect slogan."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a monitoring and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic events reported later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Bands

As he said he felt the duo had been targeted more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he said, "since as with everything race comes to play a factor in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."