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Brandon Flowers, vocalist of the US band The Killers, performs during a festival in Monterrey, Mexico [File: AFP]
The Killers, a US alternative rock band, are facing backlash for inviting a Russian fan to join them on stage during a concert in Georgia. The incident occurred at the Black Sea Arena in Batumi, where lead singer Brandon Flowers asked the audience whether they were comfortable with a Russian fan playing the drums for their song "For Reasons Unknown."
Georgia, a country with a history of strained relations with Russia, has expressed frustration due to Russia's military intervention in Ukraine and its control over Georgia's territories, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The audience at the concert reacted with boos and some even left as Flowers urged them to view the Russian fan as a "brother."
Flowers attempted to emphasize a message of unity, asking if borders should separate people, but the reaction from the crowd was mixed. Some attendees felt the band was unaware of the political sensitivities in the region and criticized the Russian fan for participating despite the strained relations between the two countries.
Georgians took to social media to express their anger, with some rejecting the notion of brotherhood with Russia due to the occupation of their land. The Killers later issued an apology, clarifying that their intention was not to offend anyone and that they viewed their audience as "brothers and sisters" in a more general sense.
The incident highlights the complex political and historical context that can affect artists' performances in certain regions. The Killers are currently on a European tour, and their next performance is scheduled in Bratislava, Slovakia.
