’Am I not your brother?’: The Killers booed in Georgia for inviting Russian fan on stage

The Killers have issued an apology after the lead singer Brandon Flowers invited a Russian fan on stage to play the drums the former Soviet state of Georgia. Subscribe to Guardian News on YouTube ► ’We don’t know the etiquette of this land but this guy’s a Russian,’ Flowers could be heard telling concertgoers in in Batumi, in clips widely circulated on social media, who responded with some cheers but a lot of booing. ’You OK with a Russian coming up here?’ Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and had since occupied 20% of its territory. Flowers addressed the audience after he performed For Reasons Unknown who continued their protest. ’You can’t recognise if someone’s your brother? He’s not your brother?’ he asked. ’We all separate on the borders of our countries? … Am I not your brother, being from America?’ After the flurry of concern The Killers issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter: ’We recognise that a comment, meant to suggest that all The Killers’ fans and audience are “brothers and sisters“, could be misconstrued. We did not mean to offend anyone and we apologise’. The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► Sign up to the Guardian’s free new daily newsletter, First Edition ► Website ► Facebook ► Twitter ► Instagram ► The Guardian on YouTube:  The Guardian ► Guardian Australia ► Guardian Football ► Guardian Sport ► Guardian Live ► #TheKillers #Concert #Georgia #Russia