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The lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "without regret" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at Glastonbury and declared he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

The outspoken music pair ignited significant debate when they initiated audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," referring to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer performance. This slogan was censured by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the incident, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to call off a scheduled US and Canada concert series.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial interview after the Glastonbury show, 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 what if I was to go on the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the duo faced was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the people that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Reaction and BBC Feedback

The artist said he was taken aback by the uproar triggered by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster employees at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "excellent."

However, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's broadcast of the performance violated editorial guidelines in relation to harm and offence.

Vylan told the host there was no indication of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It felt normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

The musician also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "marching in tennis 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 somehow the politics of the band or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

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

Meaning Behind the Chant

When questioned what he intended by the phrase "Death to the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being killed at an disturbing rate. What matters about the slogan?" he said.

"Death to the IDF 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. Perfect slogan."

Denial of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish community safety group, that their set led to a spike in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have created an hostile environment for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Comparison with Other Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more severely than different artists for speaking about the situation, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with everything race comes to play a part in that we are an easier target, no pun intended, than others are because we are inherently the enemy."