In a concert held in Batumi, Georgia, The Killers faced backlash after frontman Brandon Flowers invited a Russian fan on stage to play the drums. Flowers intended to promote unity among all people but the gesture didn’t sit well with the Georgian audience due to the tense history between Georgia and Russia. Some concertgoers reacted to the invitation with cheers, while others booed and even left the show in protest.
Flowers, not wanting to let the issue drop, questioned the audience’s inability to recognize someone as their brother. He even asked if, as an American, he was not considered their brother either. The controversy surrounding The Killers’ statement comes amidst Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine and Georgia’s own history with Russia, including the 2008 invasion and ongoing occupation.
A political science professor from Georgia’s Ilia State University explained that many Georgians see Ukraine’s war as part of their own struggle against Russia. The Killers issued an apology following the incident, stating that they never intended to offend anyone and that their tradition of inviting fans on stage to play instruments had been well-received in the past. They acknowledged that their “brothers and sisters” comment may have been misconstrued and expressed regret for upsetting anyone.
It is important to note that while The Killers’ intention was to spread unity and inclusivity, their choice of words and timing were seen as insensitive by some members of the audience. Despite the controversy, The Killers managed to complete their performance.
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