Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alekhina are all members of the Russian punk band and were arrested and jailed in March for performing an anti-Putin “punk prayer” at Christ the Saviour cathedral.

 

Franz Ferdinand were performing at Afisha Picnic in Moscow when frontman Alex Kapranos introduced ‘This Fire.’

 

Kapranos said: “This is for the girls in Pussy Riot. [It] is dedicated to all of those musicians that end up in jail for just saying what they think.”

 

The frontman later took to Twitter to elaborate on his comments with a series of tweets. He wrote: “Thanks again to everyone in Moscow for your kindness, welcome and support. It's better each time. I have a favour to ask you all...

 

“Please show your support for the jailed members of the band Pussy Riot, even if you are not a fan of their music...

 

“I'm sure you are all fans of their right to express their opinion. Any world leader who claims to be a fan of the Beatles and John Lennon...

 

“...then attempts to imprison contemporary musicians who express their political views, is the worst kind of hypocrite: a dangerous one.”

 

Red Hot Chili Peppers spoke out during their gig at Luzniky Stadium, also in Moscow. Antony Kiedis showed his support by wearing a Pussy Riot t-shirt, and both him and Flea presented letters that they had written to Pyotr Verzilov, Tolokonnikova's husband.

 

Kiedis had reportedly written: “Nadya and Katya and Masha, we love you, we love to support you and are here to help you” while Flea apparently said “I pray for your release.”

 

Pussy Riot have been charged with “hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred” which has a maximum sentence of seven years in jail. They will remain in custody until January 2013.