Green Day abruptly walked offstage during their Detroit concert this week, and now authorities are investigating the man they say caused the disruption.
The incident occurred during the band's performance of the song “Longview.” The show resumed 10 minutes later without any explanation.
“We're going to pick up where we left off,” frontman Billie Joe Armstrong told the crowd as the band returned to the stage, then asked attendees to put away their cell phones.
After the show ended, Green Day shared a message on social media apologizing for the unexpected delay.
“Stadium security had us vacate the stage while they dealt with a potential safety issue,” the statement, which has since been deleted, read. “DPD quickly resolved the situation and we were able to continue. Thank you for your understanding.”
The drone pilot was questioned but not arrested, Detroit Police Sgt. Daron Zhou said. Detroit Free Press On Thursday, the case was turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which investigates all reports of potentially dangerous drone operations.
An agency spokesman said that while it does not have the authority to file criminal charges, “drone operators who endanger other aircraft or people on the ground” can face fines of more than $30,000. Additionally, the FAA can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.
Green Day’s Saviors tour, which bears the same title as the group’s 14th studio album, celebrates the 20th and 30th anniversaries of their landmark albums “American Idiot” and “Dookie,” respectively. The band will play both albums in their entirety on each date of the tour.
The tour is set to land at Inglewood's SoFi Stadium on September 14 with special guests including Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and Linda Lindas.
