British indie rock band Sports Team experienced a harrowing incident just minutes into their U.S. tour. After arriving in California, the band stopped at a Starbucks in Vallejo, near San Francisco, for coffee. During this brief stop, masked individuals broke into their tour van, stealing laptops, passports, stage equipment, and personal belongings. Fortunately, their musical instruments, stored in a separate locked compartment, remained untouched, allowing the band to proceed with their scheduled performances.
Frontman Alex Rice recounted the ordeal, noting that as their tour manager approached the van, one of the assailants brandished a firearm, forcing her to retreat. The band expressed shock at the lack of immediate police response, stating that authorities advised them to file an online report rather than dispatching officers to the scene.
Despite the unsettling experience, Sports Team continued their tour, performing in Sacramento as planned. They expressed determination to persevere, humorously remarking, “They can take our Nintendo Switches but they can never take our ability to play rock songs about motorways.” However, they also voiced concern over the apparent resignation of bystanders to such incidents, highlighting a troubling normalization of crime in the area.
This incident underscores the challenges touring artists may face and raises questions about public safety and law enforcement responsiveness in certain regions. Sports Team’s resilience in the face of adversity serves as a testament to their dedication to their craft and their fans.