British Rock Band Robbed at Gunpoint in Bay Area on First Day of U.S. Tour

In a harrowing start to their U.S. tour, British indie rock band Sports Team faced a terrifying ordeal in Vallejo, California, on December 3, 2024. The group was robbed at gunpoint just minutes after touching down on American soil.

The incident unfolded at a Starbucks near the Magazine Street exit off Interstate 80, where the band had stopped for coffee ahead of their inaugural U.S. show at Sacramento's Goldfield Trading Post. As the group settled in, masked individuals targeted their tour van, quickly turning a routine coffee run into a nightmare.

“Just been robbed at gunpoint 10 minutes into the US tour. Stopped for coffee,” the band shared on Instagram, accompanied by chilling footage captured from inside the café. The video shows a man armed with a gun exiting a vehicle and brandishing the weapon toward the band’s tour manager, Lauren. She can be seen fleeing for cover as the assailants ransacked the vehicle, stealing cameras, laptops, clothes, passports, and essential tour documents.

Drummer Al Greenwood recounted the chaos to the BBC, describing the surreal moment someone in the café announced the robbery: “Somebody opened the door and was like, ‘Does anybody have a white Sprinter van? Because you’re being robbed right now.’”

As the band members sprinted outside, a bystander warned them that the robbers were armed. “I really thought I was about to watch someone get shot,” Greenwood admitted.

Despite the traumatic experience, the band has resolved to continue their tour, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. They are scheduled to perform in San Francisco at The Chapel this Saturday, maintaining their commitment to their fans.

Vallejo police advised the band to file an online report, leaving the group disheartened by the lack of immediate action and the seeming indifference of witnesses. “Pretty shocking how resigned everyone seemed to be to it,” the band commented on social media.

Sports Team, known for their Mercury Prize-nominated album and energetic performances, are pushing forward with their U.S. dates despite the loss of vital equipment and personal belongings. Their courage and determination serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges artists sometimes face on the road.

For many, this story underscores the importance of vigilance, preparation, and community support, particularly in the unpredictable world of touring musicians. The band’s ability to press on amidst such adversity is a testament to their spirit, but their ordeal also raises questions about safety and the measures needed to prevent such incidents in the future.

Source: SF Gate