The Killers performed this evening at the Black Sea Arena in Batumi, Georgia, where they drew boos from the crowd for inviting a drummer onstage who happened to be Russian. The Killers typically invite a fan onstage to help perform “For Reasons Unknown”; tonight’s guest revealed he was from Russia. “We don’t know the etiquette of this land, but this guy’s a Russian. Are you okay with a Russian coming up here?”

After boos, Brandon Flowers asked, “You guys finished yet or no?” Attempting a moment of Russian-Georgian unity, the singer called Russians and Georgians “brothers,” which caused the crowd the erupt in protest. “You can’t recognize that someone’s your brother?” Flowers asked. “He’s not your brother? We all separate on the borders of our countries? … Am I not your brother, being from America?” In addition to booing, many people reportedly left the show in protest. Later on the Killers ended their set without saying goodbye. Now, the band has shared an apology on social media. “Good people of Georgia, it was never our intention to offend anyone!,” they wrote.

“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.”

There is a long history of tension between Georgia and Russia. Currently, amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, there’s been a huge influx of Russian emigrants escaping their own country and settling in the capital city of Tbilisi, which has been polarizing among locals. Likewise, Russia has occupied 20% of Georgia’s territory since invading the country in 2008.

The Killers’ apology is below.

pic.twitter.com/mfuAf2I8xb

— The Killers (@thekillers) 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

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