The Killers‘ Brandon Flowers has faced a backlash for his comments about ‘respecting photographers’ in the wake of the recent incident regarding Josh Homme.

The Queens Of The Stone Age frontman made headlines this weekend, when he kicked photographer Chelsea Lauren at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas show. Homme kicked the camera from her hands, which hit her in the face. She later needed care in hospital.

Homme later released an emotional apology, claiming that he had been a ‘total dick’, and that he “had to figure some stuff out”.


https://twitter.com/qotsa/status/940104860061507584

Later on at the KROQ event, Flowers used The Killers’ headline set to declare that photographers were “welcome” and “respected” at their shows. He then invited their own photographer Rob Loud to the stage for an embrace, promising “I’m not going to kick you in the face, it’s OK.”

“I just want to tell you to tell all your friends that you’re welcome here, and at Killers concerts you’re safe and respected,” said Flowers. “They make us look good — we need to take care of these people.”

However, many photographers have since taken online to slam Flowers comments as ‘hypocritical’, as they tend to ban many photographers from shooting them during live sets, opting only for their own photographer Rob Loud to have access. Various photographers told Billboard that this was the case at the KROQ show.

“It didn’t feel supportive coming from someone who prevents us from doing our job as press,” said professional photographer Amy Harris. “It is extremely frustrating for media professional photographers to travel to and shoot shows and festivals for their respective outlets, and not be able to cover the headlining acts. The artists don’t seem to care about press.”


LA Photographer Paul Hebert added that he found it difficult to sell his photos when you “cannot photograph the headliner”.

“If you dissect Brandon’s comments, they are comical,” he said. “He was the only artist that weekend that doesn’t allow himself to be photographed.”

Other photographers also took to Twitter to share their bemusement:

sorry @brandonflowers but this comes across so hypocritical. @thekillers are notorious for not allowing photographers. You basically have a flat out BAN on them. Even at @globalcitizen festival where the photos were helping support a good cause you said no https://t.co/FX3kpV4cR6 — irocktheshot (@joepapeo) December 11, 2017

“I just want to tell you to tell all of your friends that you’re welcome here, and at any Killers concert, you’re safe and you’re respected.” Guess respect only extends to their tour photog, since they kicked all the others out b4 their set, as usual. ?https://t.co/QingY20c5k — Steve Carlson (@SteveCarlsonSF) December 11, 2017

Shoutout to Brandon Flowers for shouting out photographers even though The Killers have a forever ban on photographers at their shows ???? — Joyce (@joyce_jude) December 11, 2017

I haven't read this, but I saw Brandon Flowers' post-Homme remarks about photographers yesterday and I'm pretty sure I know where it's going considering Flowers doesn't allow photographers to shoot his shows himself. Thanks @stereogum https://t.co/zro6xKxab0 — Travis Hay (@guerrillacandy) December 12, 2017

It's a bit rich of Brandon Flowers @thekillers to do this when they don't approve photographers at shows. He only lets his brother in law shoot their shows.https://t.co/lhb3LUwXoS — Aaron Corr (@aaron_corr) December 11, 2017

NME has contacted The Killers for a response.

The Killers tour dates and tickets

The Killers upcoming UK tour dates are below. Tickets are available here.

Saturday June 23 2018 – SWANSEA Liberty Stadium

Sunday June 24 2018 – ISLE OF WIGHT Seaclose Park

Sunday July 8 2018 – GLASGOW Green

Friday July 13 2018 – BOLTON Macron Stadium