British band Sports Team faced a harrowing incident on Tuesday when they were robbed at gunpoint just as their U.S. tour was kicking off. The group, known for their catchy indie tunes, was stopping for coffee at a Starbucks located in Vallejo, California, when the alarming events unfolded.
While enjoying their morning caffeine fix, members of the band were alerted by a passerby who rushed inside to inform them about the robbery taking place at their tour van parked outside. According to the members, chaos erupted as they rushed out of the coffee shop, realizing their belongings were being taken.
a cellphone video disseminated by the band on their Instagram account captured the shocking moment when someone was seen rifling through their van. The gravity of the situation escalated quickly when, upon confronting the robber, he brandished a firearm, sending shockwaves through the group. The robbery, occurring just moments after they had started their tour, left them rattled, yet determined to continue with their scheduled performance.
"Just been robbed at gunpoint 10 minutes intro to the US tour. Stopped for coffee. A man runs in saying some guys are smashing the van. I ran out to stop it and found masked guys ransacking the van. When I yelled, they pulled out a gun," the band recounted on social media, describing the encounter plainly and yet with disbelief.
Despite the traumatic experience, the band reported to their fans and followers on social media they hadn’t lost any of their musical equipment, which was secured. Instead, they lamented the theft of personal items, stating, "They can take our Nintendo Switches, but they can never take our ability to play rock songs about motorways. It’s pretty shocking how resigned everyone seemed to be to it — ‘It happens’ — 9 am at some petrol station Starbucks. Wild.”
Drummer Al Greenwood elaborated on the events, stating, "Somebody opened the door and was like: Does anybody have a white Sprinter van? Because you’re being robbed right now. So we all ran out, shouting. Lauren, our tour manager, was slightly ahead of me, and somebody else ran past us, saying, ‘Careful, he’s holding something.’" The sheer panic of the moment was palpable, with Greenwood recalling the feeling of dread, fearing someone might get harmed.
Following this distressing encounter, the band reached out to local authorities. Unfortunately, their experience with Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office proved to be far from satisfactory. The police instructed them to file the report online and did not send officers to the scene, leaving the band members feeling abandoned and unsupported during such a terrifying ordeal.
While the robbery stripped them of personal belongings, they found solace in the fact their instruments remained intact, allowing them to proceed directly to Sacramento for their next performance. “We lost our passports, documents, and the suitcases carrying our clothes — so we’re going to be wearing the same things for the next two weeks,” they humorously noted, emphasizing the necessity to adapt under the circumstances.
The band adjusted their touring plans after experiencing travel delays, initially scheduled to kick off their tour earlier, adding another layer of resilience to this already challenging start. Despite the setbacks, Sports Team honored their commitment to perform at Goldfield Trading Post later the same day, putting their traumatic experience behind them as they took the stage from fear and unpredictability.
Fans worldwide were quick to rally around them, showing support through social media platforms, offering words of encouragement and community solidarity. It served as a reminder of the shared bond music can instill, keeping hopes high and spirits up even during the most unsettling times.
For Sports Team, the experience was undoubtedly alarming and far from ideal, yet they managed to turn the narrative of loss and theft to one of perseverance and the unwavering spirit of musicianship. With every performance they give, they prove life goes on, tethered by their passion for music and the thrilling unpredictability of the road. What started with stolen items and potential tragedy transformed, at least partially, back to the pure joy of live performance.
The ironic twist of the situation didn't escape them. They mused about their recent experience with humor and candor, making it clear they won’t let robbery dim their love for music or their zest for the upcoming performances on their tour. Despite losing personal belongings, the heart of the band—its instrumentation and brotherhood—remains strong, and their laughter echoing from concert to concert carries them forward, proving they would not be easily deterred by the unfortunate incident.
