British Indie-Rock Band Sports Team Targeted in Armed Robbery During U.S. Tour Kickoff

On Tuesday morning, a British indie-rock band was targeted by armed robbers while they paused for coffee at a Starbucks in Vallejo, California, marking the first day of their U.S. tour.

Incident Details

The band took to Instagram to recount the ordeal, sharing the chilling moment captured on video, which showed an individual raiding their van as a member of their delegation urgently called for help. The lavish attack occurred at the Starbucks and gas station situated at 199 Lincoln Rd. West in Vallejo, casting a dark cloud over the band's anticipated tour.

Evidence of the Attack

A cell phone video depicted one of the culprits wielding a firearm, allegedly menacing the tour manager, instilling fear among the witnesses. The immediate aftermath saw two members of the band's entourage retreating back into the Starbucks, as those inside the coffee shop implored everyone to remain indoors, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

Items Stolen

The incursion not only disrupted the band's schedule but also resulted in the unpleasant loss of their passports, stage equipment, and personal belongings—an unfortunate setback for the group, which had previously seen two of their albums ascend into the UK top 10.

Impact on Tour Schedule

Originally slated to kick off their U.S. tour in San Francisco at the Kilowatt on Monday night, the band was forced to reschedule due to a canceled flight from the United Kingdom. Consequently, the tour was set to commence with an all-ages show on Tuesday night at the Goldfield Trading Post in Sacramento.

Police Response and Band's Resilience

In response to the distressing incident, the Vallejo Police Department advised the band to submit an online report. Despite losing a significant amount of personal gear, the band exhibited resilience, emphasizing that their instruments were unharmed and expressing determination to proceed to Sacramento for their scheduled performance.

Reflections on the Incident

Despite attempting to infuse humor into their Instagram post, the band conveyed their shock and disbelief at the nonchalance with which the events were met. The closing remarks of their post underscored the surreal nature of the experience, highlighting the unexpectedness of the attack in broad daylight at a seemingly innocuous location.