Sprints release statement in response to second sexual assault on tour
Dublin rock band Sprints have released a statement following an incident involving vocalist Karla Chubb who was sexually assaulted for the second time after a recent live performance.
The assault happened during part of the band’s Letter To Self world tour, which began earlier this year in February and will come to a close in the coming weeks. Responding to the incident, the band’s statement expressed the unacceptability of such behaviour, explaining that “we will not stand for it and we will not be silent about it.”
They continued, adding: “The fact that this has occurred twice is abhorrent, the fact that it still happens at all is disgusting.”
Their statement argued that such occurrences are “beyond reprehensible” and that “female performers should be able to engage with their audience, step off the stage or perform without fear of groping, unwanted touching, cat-calling and harassment.”
Sprints concluded: “To those who noticed and called out the behaviour yesterday, thank you. To those of you responsible for the behaviour, shame on you. Do better.”
The band’s debut album was released earlier this year, which earned acclaim from critics and fans alike. In a press release at the time, Chubb described the lyrics on the album as personal and therapeutic, explaining: “Lyrically it was about acknowledging everything that’s happened in my life – my traumas, my struggles with anxiety – and to close that chapter by putting it on the page.”
“There’s been a lot of shame in my life, so I wanted the title to be the most honest, on the nose thing possible,” the message continue.
The album followed a series of sold-out concerts across the country. The otherwise seamless reception received from fans across the tour has been tarnished by the actions of others, however, which pushed them to release the latest statement. Read it in full below.
Once the headline tour is over, Sprints will play festivals across Europe this summer, such as Eurorockness, TRNSMT and Live at Leeds. They will also play London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum in November.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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