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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 Responses

This outspoken music duo sparked widespread controversy when they led crowd calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the Israel Defense Forces, during their summer set. This slogan was condemned by Glastonbury and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who described it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, the band was released by its agency UTA, and the US government revoked the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to call off a planned US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his initial public discussion after the Glastonbury show, Vylan, using his birth 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 the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the backlash the duo faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

Regarding the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," 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 advocating for, these are the people that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've upset some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's airing of the show violated editorial guidelines in regard to offense and hurt.

He informed Theroux 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 come off stage. It's normal. Nobody thought anything. Not a soul. Including staff at the BBC were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also responded 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 sport gear."

His comment was "letdown" and "showed no self-awareness," Vylan said.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'huge mistake' implies that somehow the views of the duo or our stance on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he explained.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Chant

When asked what he meant by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that protest to even occur on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. In which the local population are being killed at an alarming rate. What matters about the chant?" he stated.

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

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety organisation, that their performance led to a rise in anti-Jewish incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe environment for the Jewish community. If there were large numbers of people acting and going like 'We made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a negative effect here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Artists

As Vylan mentioned he felt the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with all things race becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than others are because we are already the opponent."