Foster the People’s 2011 megahit “Pumped Up Kicks” became a feel-good anthem of sorts, but if you ignored the lyrics you might not realize it’s about gun violence.
This became an issue in light of Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas, and Monday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, the band decided the skip the career-making hit. Frontman Mark Foster was reflective, telling the audience: “We’re scared. Everybody’s scared. …There is evil, but the world is inherently good.”
He asked the audience to consider voting for any anti-assault rifle legislation that might materialize, but said more importantly, it’s about “loving each other every day.” He added that playing “Pumped Up Kicks” would have been “irreverent,” and so instead they played “Love” by John Lennon.
Watch their performance below:
H/T Spin