Green Day have responded to criticism from fans for going ahead with their show at Spain's Mad Cool Festival after an acrobat fell to his death this past weekend.
According to The Sun, Pedro Aunion Monro was performing in front of the 35,000 in attendance before Green Day were to set to hit the stage, when he fell 100ft from a suspended cage and died.
Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong took to the band's website to address the incident, claiming the band were not told of Monro's death prior to the set starting.
"We didn't even know there was an acrobat performance at all," Armstrong said in a statement.
"These festivals are huge. There are so many things happening at the same time it's impossible to keep up with every performer/artist.. We were in a back stage compound about a half mile away from the main festival stage.
"We were warming up ready to go at 11.25 pm. 15 minutes prior our tour management was told by local authorities to wait to go on stage because there was some sort of security issue. Security issues are a normal occurrence and procedure at any show… we were NOT told why which is also normal. we waited as we were instructed. Still, we had no clue there was any such accident."
Armstrong wrote that they were only told what happened when they returned to the compound following the show.
"It was there when we were told the shocking news about Pedro. All of us were in disbelief. I don't know why the authorities chose not to tell us about the accident before our concert. All we know is what was said after our concert.
"This has never happened in the 30 years Green Day have been performing live. If we had known prior to our performance we most likely would not have played at all. We are not heartless people. The safety and well being at any of our concerts absolutely comes first. What happened to Pedro is unthinkable. Once again we are heartbroken for his friends and family."
See the full statement below.
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