The Black Crowes' Tampa, Florida show on May 31 turned into a charged political moment when frontman Chris Robinson refused to play along with a patriotic crowd chant and made his views clear to the hecklers.
According to Rolling Stone, the clash erupted near the end of their set after the band flashed their Uncle Sam-themed mascot on the big screen. A sizable chunk of the Florida audience began chanting "U.S.A."
Robinson wasn't interested. He responded with sarcasm: "Thanks for the geography lesson" and "I don't know what you have to be so proud of right now."
When sections of the crowd began booing him, Robinson fired back: "For those of you fucking booing us, some of us are not afraid. And we most assuredly are not fucking ignorant!" Fan-shot videos captured a mixed reaction — some cheers, plenty of boos, and reportedly at least a few walkouts.
The Black Crowes aren't known for heavy-handed political messaging. Robinson, however, clearly had something to say about national pride.
The band pivoted straight into their 1991 classic "She Talks to Angels" and continued the set. A Black Crowes representative hasn't publicly commented on the exchange.
The internet is split: some fans praising Robinson's refusal to play the patriotic card, others calling him out for lecturing his audience. The Tampa show has become a point of contention in rock circles.
