The Killers apologise for incident with Russian fan

BATUMI: Renowned Las Vegas band The Killers has issued an apology after an onstage incident involving frontman Brandon Flowers and a Russian fan during a concert in Georgia.

Flowers invited the Russian fan onto the stage to play the drums for a song and told the crowd to treat him as their “brother.” However, this gesture received a mixed reaction from the audience. Some sections started booing and even walking out.

Georgia, which gained independence from Russia in 1991 and has a history of tension with its neighbor. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and still holds part of the former Soviet state. The situation exacerbated by the influx of Russian immigrants to Georgia following Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

In a statement posted on social media, The Killers clarified their intentions: “Good people of Georgia, it was never our intention to offend anyone! We recognise 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 apologise. We stand with you and hope to return soon.”

The incident occurred during the band’s performance of their track “Reasons Unknown” at the Black Sea Arena near the city of Batumi. Flowers, in his attempt to engage the audience, asked if they were okay with a Russian fan joining them onstage.

The reaction from the crowd varied, and Flowers later addressed the situation, emphasizing unity and brotherhood among fans despite geopolitical tensions.

The Killers will headline the Reading and Leeds Festivals later this month. They recently made a surprise appearance at Sir Elton John’s final UK gig at Glastonbury Festival.