UK band Sports Team robbed at gunpoint in California
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The British indie band Sports Team had a frightening start to their U.S. tour when they were robbed at gunpoint in Vallejo. Bartek Szmigulski/Big Feat PR
British indie band Sports Team were robbed at gunpoint at the start of their US tour, with the unfortunate incident taking place just hours before their first scheduled performance. The six-member group, who had plans to perform across the United States this month, were targeted at a gas station in Vallejo, California, on Tuesday morning, before even hitting the stage.
The band shared their harrowing experience on social media, posting a video along with a brief account of what occurred after they stopped for coffee. “Just been robbed at gunpoint 10 minutes into the US tour,” the band wrote, alongside a short clip showing their white van being broken into. The footage also captured someone shouting commands like “get down” and “get inside” as the robbers carried out the attack.
According to the band, they had stopped at a Starbucks when they heard a man shout that someone was breaking into their van. Rushing to stop the theft, they were met by masked criminals who were ransacking the vehicle. When the band members yelled at the robbers, the criminals responded by pulling out a gun.
While several items were stolen, including cameras, laptops, and personal belongings, the band was relieved that their musical instruments were left unharmed. As the band explained, “the back of the van is fortified,” which protected their gear. However, lead vocalist Alex Rice revealed that three band members lost their passports in the incident.
The band immediately called the local police, but were advised to file an online report instead of having an officer respond in person. Despite the shock and loss, the band remained determined to continue their tour. In their post, they acknowledged the theft but emphasized that they would push forward. “Lost a lot of personal gear, but they didn’t get the instruments so driving on to Sacramento to play tonight,” they wrote. “They can take our Nintendo Switches but they can never take our ability to play rock songs about motorways.”
The band members also reflected on how unexpectedly calm the situation seemed afterward. They expressed their disbelief at how everyone took the incident in stride, noting that the reaction seemed to be, “It happens.” The robbery took place around 9 a.m. at a gas station Starbucks, adding an element of absurdity to an already unnerving situation. “Wild,” they added, encapsulating the bizarre nature of the experience.
CNN reached out to the Vallejo Police Department for a statement but did not receive immediate comment.
Despite the unfortunate start to their tour, Sports Team have continued to rise in prominence. They have released two top 10 albums in the UK, with their debut album Deep Down Happy earning a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2020.
Lead guitarist Henry Young, who previously worked as a sports writer for CNN, has written about the challenges and triumphs of pursuing a music career. In 2020, he shared his story of transitioning from a day job to music full-time, reflecting on the unglamorous side of life on the road. In a 2020 article for CNN, he recalled a similar theft that occurred when the band’s van was broken into in broad daylight during their European tour. Despite the setback, Young described the experience as “all worth it.”
Now, facing another setback in the US, Sports Team are focused on moving forward with their shows. Their resilience, humor, and dedication to their music despite the trauma serve as a testament to their unwavering commitment to their craft.
As the band heads toward Sacramento for their next performance, the incident is unlikely to deter them. For Sports Team, it’s just another wild chapter in their ever-evolving journey on the road to stardom.
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