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Punk duo lead singer Bobby Vylan has stated he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Disputed Chant and Political Responses

The outspoken music pair sparked significant controversy when they initiated audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their June performance. This slogan was condemned by festival organizers and Britain's leader the prime minister, who described it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, the band was released by its representation United Talent Agency, and the US state department revoked the artists' travel documents, forcing them to call off a scheduled North American tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial interview since the festival show, Vylan, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, spoke on a popular podcast. After questioned if he would repeat his actions, he replied:

"Absolutely. Like suppose I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would do it again. I'm not regretful of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

The artist added that the criticism the band encountered was "minimal compared to what individuals in Palestine are experiencing."

On the Chant's Importance

"I don't want to overstate the importance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's support, they're the people that I'm doing it for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some rightwing official or some conservative news outlet?"

Surprising Response and Broadcaster Feedback

The musician said he was taken aback by the outcry triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of BBC employees at the event told him on the same day that the performance was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's executive complaints unit subsequently determined that the BBC's airing of the performance violated content standards in regard to offense and hurt.

Vylan informed the host there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "It wasn't like we came off stage, and everyone was like [gasps]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It's normal. No one thought anything. Nobody. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Reply to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described Vylan as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the politics 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 typically associated around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Intent Behind the Slogan

After questioned what he intended by the phrase "Down with the IDF," the artist clarified the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"What is important is the situation that persist to permit that chant to even occur on that platform. And I mean, the conditions that are present in Palestine. In which the Palestinian people are being slain at an alarming rate. Who cares about the chant?" he stated.

"The phrase rhymes," he noted: "'End, End the IDF does not rhyme, wouldn't have spread, right? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a songwriter. 'The chant' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Rejection of Hate Speech Allegations

Vylan also rejected assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic incidents reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an hostile environment for the Jewish people. Suppose there were many individuals of people going out and going like 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad effect here," he commented.

Comparison with Other Bands

When Vylan said he thought the duo had been criticised more severely than different artists for voicing views about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group Kneecap, who have also encountered criticism for their method to pro-Palestinian advocacy.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan responded, "because as with everything ethnicity comes to play a part in that we are an more convenient target, seriously, than others are because we are already the enemy."