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The frontman Bobby Vylan has expressed he is "without regret" about his "death, death to the IDF" act at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Reactions

The vocal music pair ignited widespread debate when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was released by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the members' travel documents, forcing them to call off a scheduled North American concert series.

Interview with the Podcaster

In his first interview after the festival performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would repeat it. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He noted that the criticism the duo faced was "small compared to what people in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Chant's Significance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the chant," he continued. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have the Palestinian people's support, these are the individuals that I'm advocating for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Well, because I've angered some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The artist said he was surprised by the outcry sparked by the chant, and stated that members of the broadcaster staff at Glastonbury told him on the same day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the network's airing of the performance violated content guidelines in relation to harm and hurt.

He told Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including staff at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Damon Albarn

The musician also hit back at Damon Albarn, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and characterized Vylan as "marching in tennis gear."

His reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'marching' being used because it's only used 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 asked what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to permit that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the circumstances that exist in the region. Where the Palestinian population are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

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

Rejection of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety organisation, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents recorded later.

"I don't think I have created an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish community. Suppose there were large numbers of individuals acting and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oh, I've had a negative effect here," he said.

Contrast with Different Bands

When Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than others for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Irish group Kneecap, who have also encountered backlash for their approach to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "because as with everything ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient villain, seriously, than others are because we are inherently the opponent."