The tension began when the band invited a Russian fan on stage to jam on the drums for their track, ‘For Reasons Unknown’.
Given the historical friction between Russia and Georgia – especially since the 2008 invasion – this move wasn’t met with applause. Since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine last year, there has been an influx of Russians to Georgia, with some Russians facing a backlash, reports The Guardian.
Attempting to lighten the mood, frontman Brandon Flowers asked the crowd, “We don’t know the etiquette of this land but this guy’s a Russian. You OK with a Russian coming up here?” This was met with an immediate and resounding chorus of boos.
Part of the audience left concert of @thekillers at the Black Sea Arena in Georgia in protest after amid booing the group’s frontman who invited a Russian drummer to the stage and said everyone are “brothers and sisters” pic.twitter.com/mhtklWIOKf
— Formula NEWS | English (@FormulaGe) August 15, 2023
The people of Georgia once again voiced their honest opinion. Russians will never be comfortable in this country, because we are their enemies, not their brothers and sisters.
F off @thekillers 🖕 pic.twitter.com/VkS7mBJX4Q
— Visioner (@visionergeo) August 15, 2023
Addressing the chilly reception post-song, Flowers asked the audience, “You can’t recognise if someone’s your brother? He’s not your brother? We all separate on the borders of our countries?… Am I not your brother, being from America?” Quickly realising he may have started something nasty, he added, “I don’t want it to turn ugly. And I see you as my brothers and my sisters.”
Even though the band soldiered on with their setlist, the incident led some fans to leave the venue in dissent.
Crowds abandon @thekillers concert in Georgia as its frontman invited a Russian drummer to the stage and insisted on performing with him despite protest from the crowd. The crowd then erupted in more protest with its significant part quitting the concert pic.twitter.com/oPiaicuUzk
— Formula NEWS | English (@FormulaGe) August 15, 2023
After the gig, The Killers issued a heartfelt apology, expressing their dismay over the accidental controversy.
The statement read: “Good people of Georgia, it was never our intention to offend anyone! We have a longstanding tradition of inviting people to play drums and it seemed from the stage that the initial response from the crowd indicated that they were okay with tonight’s audience participation member coming onstage with us.
“We recognize that a comment, meant to suggest that all of the Killers’ audience and fans are ‘brothers and sisters’ could be misconstrued. We did not mean to upset anyone and we apologize. We stand with you and hope to return soon.”
— The Killers (@thekillers) August 15, 2023
On the horizon, The Killers are set to rock the stage at the Lovestream Festival in Bratislava this Friday (18 August). They’re also gearing up to headline the iconic Reading & Leeds festivals later this month.
