The Killers faced a mixed reception during their European tour stop in the Black Sea resort of Batumi in Georgia.
Lead vocalist Brandon Flowers extended an invitation to a Russian drummer to join them in performing their hit song “For Reasons Unknown.” However, what followed was a controversial moment that stirred up emotions among the crowd.
Addressing the crowd, Flowers voiced uncertainty about the acceptance of a Russian audience member joining them on stage. He asked, “We don’t know the etiquette of this land but this guy’s a Russian. You okay with a Russian coming up here?”
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The question led to a varied reaction from the crowd. After the performance, Flowers took the opportunity to discuss the issue of division based on national borders.
“You can’t recognize if someone’s your brother? He’s not your brother?” He asked, grossly over-simplifying the issue, and indicating that he did not have a full comprehension of the complexity of what he was asking the audience.
“Am I not your brother, being from America?”
“One of the things that we have come to appreciate about being in this band is it brings people together, and tonight I want us to celebrate that we are here together,” he added.
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“And I don’t want it to turn ugly. And I see you as my brothers and sisters.”
Not surprisingly, the audience booed and some people reportedly walked out of the concert early.
This episode in Batumi comes against the backdrop of historical tensions between Georgia and Russia. Georgia gained independence from Soviet rule in 1991, and in 2008, Russian forces invaded the country, leading to Moscow’s control over Abkhazia and South Ossetia, or about 20% of Georgian territory, up to this day.
Recent events, such as Russia’s actions in Ukraine, have heightened these tensions. Georgian public opinion remains largely pro-Ukrainian.
Following the incident, The Killers issued an apology, emphasizing their intention was not to offend anyone. In a statement posted on social media, the band expressed their regret over what they perceive as potential misinterpretation of their message. They ended the apology with “We stand with you.”
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