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The frontman of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" performance at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Official Responses

The outspoken punk duo sparked widespread controversy when they led audience chants of "down with the IDF," referring to the IDF, during their summer set. The slogan was censured by festival organizers and Britain's leader Keir Starmer, who labeled it as "appalling hate speech."

Following the event, Bob Vylan was dropped by its representation UTA, and the US government revoked the members' visas, compelling the duo to cancel a planned US and Canada tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

During his initial public discussion since the festival performance, Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, conversed on The Louis Theroux Podcast. After asked if he would repeat his actions, he responded:

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

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

Regarding the Chant's Importance

"I aim not to exaggerate the significance of the slogan," he elaborated. "That's not what I'm attempting to do, but if I have their backing, they're the people that I'm doing it for, they're the individuals that I'm speaking up for, then what is there to feel sorry about? Oh, because I've angered some conservative official or some conservative media?"

Unexpected Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

This artist claimed he was surprised by the uproar triggered by the exclamation, and asserted that staff of BBC staff at the event told him on the day that the set was "fantastic."

However, the corporation's ECU subsequently determined that the BBC's broadcast of the show violated editorial standards in relation to harm and hurt.

Vylan told Theroux there was no indication of a dispute in the moment: "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. Not a soul. Including crew at the broadcaster were like 'That was fantastic! We enjoyed that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

The musician also hit back at the Blur singer, who labeled the protest "one of the most spectacular misfires I've seen in my life" and described him as "marching in sport gear."

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

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' implies that somehow the politics of the band or our position on Palestinian liberation is not thought out," he stated.

"I take great issue with the phrase 'goose-stepping' being used because it's only used around the Nazis," he continued. "Precisely. And for him to use that language, I think is disgusting. I think his response was disgusting."

Intent Behind the Chant

After questioned what he meant by the phrase "Death to the IDF," the artist said the slogan itself was "unimportant."

"The key issue is the conditions that exist to allow that chant 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. Who cares about the slogan?" he said.

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

Denial of Antisemitism Allegations

The musician also rejected claims from the Community Security Trust, a monitoring and Jewish safety organisation, that their set led to a spike in anti-Jewish events reported two days.

"I believe I have caused an unsafe atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and saying 'Bob Vylan made me do this'. I could go, oof, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Comparison with Different Bands

When Vylan said he felt the band had been targeted more heavily than others for speaking about the situation, Theroux referenced the Ireland-based group another band, who have likewise faced criticism for their approach to pro-Palestinian messaging.

"That's a notable point," he said, "because as with everything race becomes a part in that we are an more convenient target, no pun intended, than others are because we are already the opponent."