British Band Sports Team Robbed at Gunpoint During U.S. Tour Kick-off

The British band Sports Team experienced an armed robbery on the inaugural day of their U.S. tour. The indie group, which has achieved two top 10 albums in the UK, reported the loss of passports, stage equipment, and personal belongings during the incident, as a thief ransacked their tour van in Vallejo, a city located in California’s Bay Area. Video footage provided to the BBC depicts the perpetrator brandishing a firearm toward the group’s tour manager as she approached the vehicle. Singer Alex Rice commented, “Obviously, if someone pulls a gun, you run for cover.” He further noted, “But the thing that struck me about it was the resignation. The people around us weren’t very panicked at all. It seemed like a very everyday occurrence.” The event transpired approximately at 4:45pm UK time (8:45am in California), while the band was en route to the opening performance of their tour in nearby Sacramento. They had paused at a Starbucks for breakfast when an individual passing by informed them that a robbery was underway. Drummer Al Greenwood recounted to the BBC, “Somebody opened the door and was like, does anybody have a white Sprinter van? Because you’re being robbed right now.” She continued, “So we all ran out, shouting. Lauren, our tour manager, was slightly ahead of me, and somebody else ran past us in the opposite direction, and said, ‘Careful, he’s holding something.'” Greenwood further stated, “I really thought I was about to watch someone get shot, because it took a while for our tour manager to realise.” She also mentioned, “In the video, you can hear me screaming at her to get down.” Another member of the band recorded the footage from within the Starbucks establishment. In the recording, employees can be heard calmly instructing the group to move away from the street. A female voice is heard saying, “Guys, get inside. Please stay inside,” as the band members retreat back into the entrance. Greenwood described the situation as “very discombobulating because they just carried on with their shift.” Rice corroborated, “They started serving drinks straight away.” Upon contacting law enforcement, the band members reported being instructed to “fill out an online form” regarding the robbery, with no officers dispatched to conduct an investigation. The BBC has reached out to the local police department for a statement. The group stated that the assailant broke the passenger window of their tour van while they sought refuge indoors. The thief primarily focused on electronics, such as film cameras and laptops utilized for performances. Additionally, they lost all their passports and documents, alongside suitcases filled with their clothing, leading to the comment, “so we’re going to wearing the same things for the next two weeks.” Greenwood’s journal was also among the items lost during the incident. She remarked, “I know it sounds ridiculous,” adding, “but that’s almost the worst part.” Fortunately, the band’s musical instruments were secured in a distinct, locked compartment situated at the rear of the van. The band, currently promoting their upcoming third album, Boys These Days, maintains optimism about performing the inaugural concert of their tour on Tuesday night. Greenwood affirmed, “We’re definitely not going to let this put us off.” She also reflected, “And ultimately, it really makes you reflect on things to be grateful for, both here and at home.” The tour schedule includes a return to the Bay Area on Saturday night. Rice stated, “We’re gonna keep playing.” He elaborated, “We’ve got nothing against the Bay Area. We think it’s great here – but it’s sad that it’s kind of got to this sort of place with gun violence.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.