British indie band Sports Team experienced a harrowing start to their US tour after being robbed at gunpoint in Vallejo, California.
The band, known for their top 10 UK albums, lost passports, stage equipment, and personal belongings when a thief targeted their tour van.
The incident occurred early Monday morning as the group stopped for breakfast before their opening show in Sacramento.
A passerby alerted them to the robbery in progress.
Singer Alex Rice described the unsettling atmosphere: “The thing that struck me was the resignation. The people around us weren’t very panicked. It seemed like an everyday occurrence.”
Footage captured the thief brandishing a gun at their tour manager, Lauren, as she approached the van.
Drummer Al Greenwood recounted her fear, screaming for Lauren to take cover.
Staff at the Starbucks where the band had stopped calmly urged them to stay inside as the robbery unfolded.
Despite the chaos, the thief focused mainly on electronics, including film cameras and laptops used for performances.
The band’s instruments, stored in a locked compartment, were spared.
However, personal losses like Greenwood’s journal added emotional weight to the ordeal.
Police reportedly advised the band to file an online report, and no officers arrived on the scene. The local department has yet to comment.
Determined to continue, Sports Team plans to play their Sacramento show and proceed with the tour, including a return to the Bay Area.
Reflecting on the incident, Greenwood said, “It makes you grateful for things both here and at home.”
Rice voiced concern about gun violence in the area but emphasized the band’s resilience: “We’re going to keep playing. We’ve got nothing against the Bay Area—it’s great here—but it’s sad it’s come to this.”
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