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The frontman Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Exclamation and Political Responses

This vocal music duo ignited significant debate when they led audience chants of "death, death to the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June performance. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

Following the event, the band was dropped by its agency United Talent Agency, and the US government cancelled the artists' visas, compelling them to call off a scheduled US and Canada tour.

Interview with the Podcaster

During his first interview since the Glastonbury show, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Foster, spoke on The Louis Theroux Podcast. When questioned if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

"Absolutely. For instance suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, definitely I would do it again. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist noted that the criticism the band faced was "minimal compared to what people in Gaza are going through."

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to overstate the significance of the slogan," he continued. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their support, these are the people that I'm doing it for, they're the people that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Well, because I've angered some rightwing official or some rightwing media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Feedback

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

However, the corporation's ECU later determined that the network's airing of the performance violated content standards in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no sign of a controversy in the moment: "It didn't feel like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It felt normal. We come off stage. It's normal. No one suspected anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the BBC were like 'That was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Reply to Damon Albarn

Vylan also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the chant "a major misstep I've seen in my life" and characterized him as "marching in tennis gear."

Albarn's reaction was "disappointing" and "lacked self-awareness," Vylan remarked.

"I just want to say that labeling it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the views of the band or our position on Palestine's freedom is unplanned," he stated.

"I take great issue with the term 'goose-stepping' being used because it's typically associated around the Nazis," he added. "That's it. And for him to use that language, I think is offensive. I think his response was disgusting."

Meaning Behind the Slogan

When questioned what he intended by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that persist to allow that chant to even take place on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. Where the Palestinian people are being slain at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the slogan?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End 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 chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Claims

The musician also denied claims from the CST, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their performance contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have created an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. If there were large numbers of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I might go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he commented.

Contrast with Different Artists

As Vylan mentioned he thought the duo had been targeted more heavily than others for voicing views about the situation, the host referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have also faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestine advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," he responded, "since as with everything ethnicity becomes a factor in that we are an more convenient villain, no pun intended, than they are because we are inherently the enemy."