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Punk duo lead singer of Bob Vylan has expressed he is "not regretful" about his "anti-IDF chant" act at the festival and asserted he would "repeat it tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

Controversial Chant and Political Responses

This outspoken punk duo ignited widespread controversy when they initiated audience calls of "down with the IDF," pointing to the IDF, during their June set. This chant was condemned by festival organizers and UK Prime Minister the prime minister, who labeled it as "shocking hate speech."

After the incident, the band was dropped by its representation United Talent Agency, and the American government cancelled the artists' travel documents, forcing the duo to cancel a planned North American tour.

Conversation with the Podcaster

In his initial interview since the festival performance, the musician, using his birth name is Pascal Foster, conversed on a popular podcast. After asked if he would do it all again, he responded:

"Oh yeah. Like what if I was to perform at the festival again tomorrow, yes I would repeat it. I'm without regret of it. I'd say it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays."

He added that the backlash the band faced was "minimal compared to what people in Palestine are going through."

On the Protest's Significance

"I aim not to overstate the importance of the chant," he elaborated. "It isn't what I'm attempting to do, but since I have the Palestinian people's backing, they're the people that I'm advocating for, these are the individuals that I'm being vocal for, then what is there to regret? Oh, because I've upset some conservative official or some rightwing media?"

Surprising Reaction and Broadcaster Comments

The musician claimed he was taken aback by the outcry sparked by the chant, and asserted that members of BBC employees at the event told him on the day that the set was "excellent."

Yet, the broadcaster's executive complaints unit later found that the network's airing of the show breached editorial standards in relation to offense and offence.

He told Theroux there was no sign of a dispute in the immediate aftermath: "It didn't feel like we left stage, and everybody was like [shocked]. It's just normal. We leave stage. It was normal. No one thought anything. Not a soul. Even crew at the broadcaster were like 'It was fantastic! We loved that!'"

Response to Blur Frontman

Vylan also responded at Damon Albarn, who called the chant "a major misstep I've witnessed in my life" and described him as "goose-stepping in tennis gear."

His comment was "disappointing" and "showed no self-awareness," he said.

"I need to say that categorising it as a 'spectacular misfire' suggests that somehow the politics of the duo or our stance on Palestine's freedom is not thought out," he stated.

"I strongly object with the phrase 'marching' being used because it's only used around Nazi Germany," he added. "Precisely. And for him to use that wording, I think is disgusting. I think his answer was appalling."

Meaning Behind the Chant

After asked what he meant by the chant "Down with the IDF," Vylan said the chant itself was "insignificant."

"The key issue is the situation that exist to permit that chant to even take place on that stage. And I mean, the conditions that exist in Palestine. In which the Palestinian population are being killed at an disturbing rate. Who cares about the chant?" he said.

"Death to the IDF rhymes," he added: "Stop the IDF' does not rhyme, wouldn't have caught on, would it? … We are there to entertain. We are there to play music. I am a lyricist. 'Death, Death to IDF' rhymes. Ideal chant."

Denial of Hate Speech Claims

Vylan also denied assertions from the Community Security Trust, a watchdog and Jewish community safety group, that their set contributed to a rise in antisemitic events recorded later.

"I don't think I have caused an hostile atmosphere for the Jewish people. Suppose there were large numbers of people going out and saying 'We made me do this'. I could go, oh, I've had a bad impact here," he said.

Contrast with Other Bands

As he said he felt the band had been criticised more severely than different artists for speaking about the conflict, Theroux brought up the Ireland-based band another band, who have likewise faced backlash for their method to pro-Palestine messaging.

"That's an interesting one," Vylan said, "since as with all things race becomes a part in that we are an easier villain, seriously, than they are because we are inherently the opponent."