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The frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Reactions

The vocal music duo ignited significant controversy when they initiated crowd chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. The slogan was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, Bob Vylan was released by its agency UTA, and the American government revoked the members' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a planned North American concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion after the festival performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he replied:

"Oh yeah. Like suppose I was to perform at Glastonbury again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the duo encountered was "small compared to what individuals in Gaza are experiencing."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, they're the individuals that I'm doing it for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some rightwing official or some rightwing news outlet?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

This musician claimed he was surprised by the outcry triggered by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

Yet, the corporation's executive complaints unit later found that the network's broadcast of the show breached content standards in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Nobody. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at the Blur singer, who called the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "marching in sport gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," he remarked.

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

"I strongly object with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Death to the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. What matters about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he noted: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Perfect chant."

Rejection of Antisemitism Claims

The musician also rejected assertions from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance led to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe environment for the Jewish people. If there were many individuals of individuals going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

When he said he felt the band had been criticised more heavily than different artists for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an easier villain, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."