August 24, 2023

"The Killers" Kill the Mood in Georgia


"The Killers" Kill the Mood in Georgia
Concertgoers boo the American Rock band "The Killers" in Georgia. G.Shavdatuashvili, Twitter.

On August 15, the American Rock band "The Killers" invited a Russian fan on stage to play the drums at their concert in Batumi, Georgia, stirring anger in the audience. In response, the lead singer, Brendon Flowers, referred to the Russian fan as a "brother" to Georgians. The concert was ended shortly afterward.

"The Killers" invites a fan to play the drums with them at every concert. At the Batumi concert, a Russian fan held a sign that read, "If destiny [is] kind, I'll be your drummer tonight." The sign caught Flowers' attention.

After finding out the fan was Russian, the singer said, "We don't know the etiquette of this land. This guy is a Russian. Are you guys okay with a Russian coming up here?" The answer from the crowd was no. Flowers invited the fan onto the stage anyway.

Startled by the boos, Flowers said, "You can't recognize if someone is your brother? He is not your brother?" Concertgoers walked out in protest, chanting "F*ck Russia."

Russia has a long history of aggression towards Georgia, including its 2008 invasion. Russian forces currently occupy 20 percent of Georgian land. The War in Ukraine has strained relationships with Russians living in Georgia, as Georgians identify in many ways with Ukrainians.

Radio Tbilisi has removed "The Killers" songs from the air. The Georgian "Shame Movement" posted on their Instagram an image reading, "The Killers supporting Killers." The Killers later issued an apology via social media. 

You Might Also Like

Notes at the Front
  • August 15, 2023

Notes at the Front

More poignant and brave “last words” of dissenters, and a look at one popular place (again) of exile.
  • August 15, 2023

"I Am Horrified"

The founder of Russian tech giant Yandex publicly condemns the War on Ukraine.
Georgians:
  • May 25, 2023

Georgians: "Stop The Wedding!"

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's daughter was at a wedding in Georgia. Protesters interrupted the event.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

93 Untranslatable Russian Words
December 01, 2008

93 Untranslatable Russian Words

Every language has concepts, ideas, words and idioms that are nearly impossible to translate into another language. This book looks at nearly 100 such Russian words and offers paths to their understanding and translation by way of examples from literature and everyday life. Difficult to translate words and concepts are introduced with dictionary definitions, then elucidated with citations from literature, speech and prose, helping the student of Russian comprehend the word/concept in context.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

A Taste of Russia
November 01, 2012

A Taste of Russia

The definitive modern cookbook on Russian cuisine has been totally updated and redesigned in a 30th Anniversary Edition. Layering superbly researched recipes with informative essays on the dishes' rich historical and cultural context, A Taste of Russia includes over 200 recipes on everything from borshch to blini, from Salmon Coulibiac to Beef Stew with Rum, from Marinated Mushrooms to Walnut-honey Filled Pies. A Taste of Russia shows off the best that Russian cooking has to offer. Full of great quotes from Russian literature about Russian food and designed in a convenient wide format that stays open during use.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955