Green Day Defend Festival Set After Acrobat’s Death

Green Day Defend Festival Set After Acrobat’s Death
Green Day has responded to the criticism the band has faced after they performed shortly after an acrobat plunged to his death at a music festival. Mondadori Portfolio

has responded to the criticism the band has faced after they performed their headlining set at Madrid’s Mad Cool Festival shortly after an acrobat plunged to his death in front of festivalgoers.

In a statement on Green Day’s site, Billie Joe Armstrong explained, “Many of you are wondering why we continued to play our show after the accident. Green Day did not hear about the accident until after our show was over. We didn’t even know there was an acrobat performance at all.”

On Friday night, acrobat Pedro Aunión Monroy plunged 100 feet while attempting a between-sets stunt that involved an illuminated box suspended by a crane. Monroy died from his injuries soon after.

Even though thousands in the crowd witnessed the tragic accident, Green Day’s set was only slightly…