UPDATE: Paramore’s Hayley Williams has posted a lengthy commentary about booting the two fans from the Madison Square Garden show in which she questions her judgment on the matter after having seen more close-up footage as to what was happening in the crowd. While Williams doesn’t condone the actions of the disruptive fans, she does share her second thoughts on how she handled the situation and the judgments made in the moment. You can read her full comments below.
Paramore are a band who’ve always looked out for their fans, and that continued Tuesday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden when singer Hayley Williams stopped down a performance of the band’s song “Figure 8” to interject during a disturbance in the audience.
While it’s not entirely clear what started the trouble, it appears as though a couple trying to force their way to the front and meeting resistance from other fans caught the eyes of Williams, who first thought someone might be injured and then realized an altercation was taking place.
“Holy shit, fuck you. Get out,” exclaimed the singer, as the lights came up on the crowd. “What is happening,” she asked, then telling the offending pair, “Hi. Yes, I will embarrass both of you. Both of you need to find somewhere else to take care of that shit. That’s not happening here. This is our house.”
As Williams waited for the situation in the audience to be taken care of, she walked across the stage in disbelief, telling the crowd, “How are you going to disrupt one of our favorite songs to play?”
“Let me know when you’re good out there. Thumbs up,” she noted to the audience and security. “Madison Square Garden, get the fuck out of here. Sorry. We were all having a good time, weren’t we?” Fan shot footage of the incident can be seen below.
And so as not to miss out on their musical moment, Paramore restarted the song so that fans could here it in full as it was originally intended.
@madblackbimbo Kicked out of a paramore show in 4K?! Hayley Latisha Williams dont play like that; BFFR! #paramore #thisiswhy #paramoreconcert #msg #madisonsquaregarden #nyc #newyork #newyorkcity #hayleywilliams #figure8 original sound – Spence
The band played a 22-song set, and they’re expected to return to Madison Square Garden tonight (May 31) for the second of two nights at the venue, with their next show coming Friday (June 2) in Washington, D.C.
READ MORE: When Musicians Call Out Abusive Fans
Paramore are currently making the rounds in support of their This Is Why album. Be sure to get tickets to see them here.
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