An Irish band has been forced to issue a statement after revealing its lead singer was sexually assaulted twice during a tour.
Karla Chubb, frontwoman of Dublin-based punk band SPRINTS, was allegedly groped and harassed while performing at Belfast’s Ulster Sports Club on Saturday night.
The band, who formed in 2019, have been performing their Letter To Self tour around the world, with the final shows taking place in Ireland.
In a statement titled ‘Notes About Yesterday’, which was posted on Twitter on Sunday, Karla’s SPRINTS bandmates revealed that she had been assaulted for a second time.
Criticizing the act as “disgusting” and “abhorrent”, SPRINTS said: “Yesterday, Karla was sexually assaulted for the second time on the Letter To Self tour.
Irish bands SPRINTS have revealed that their singer Karla Chubb has been assaulted twice during their recent tour. Pictured here is Karla performing at the O2 in Southampton in March 2023.
‘The fact that this has happened twice is abhorrent, the fact that it is still happening is disgusting. We will not tolerate it and we will not be silent about it.
‘Female artists should be able to interact with their audience, get off stage or perform without fear of groping, unwanted touching, shouting and harassment.
‘The fact that this continues to be an everyday occurrence for most women is beyond reprehensible.
‘To those who noticed and reported the behavior yesterday, thank you. For those of you responsible for the behavior, shame on you. Do it better.’
The band, which formed in 2019, consists of singer Karla Chubb, bassist and vocalist Sam McCann, guitarist Colm O’Reilly and drummer Jack Callan.
Fans were quick to send love and support to Karla on social media after seeing the post, which has been viewed more than 200,000 times.
They said: “It is disgusting that this can happen at live music events and in the presence of the artists performing.” It is the group’s responsibility to address it and stop it and anything less than that is insufficient’;
‘I’m so sorry to hear this’;
The band released a lengthy statement on Sunday, telling people to “do better.”
The band, which formed in 2019, consists of singer Karla Chubb, bassist and vocalist Sam McCann, guitarist Colm O’Reilly and drummer Jack Callan.
‘The fact that this has happened is absolutely maddening. Sending love and appreciation to everyone who speaks. “The perpetrators should be banned from further concerts”;
“If this is something widespread, surely the industry, from labels, venues and music media could do more to protect artists from this happening”;
‘I’m so sorry to hear this. Having seen Sprints many times and knowing that the entire Band gives their all and always has time for their audience, this is reprehensible and downright criminal behavior by a small minority. Much love to Karla and the rest of the Band’;
“Horrible things, I hope Karla is okay.”
The band has been on a world tour since February, with the final dates being in Ireland.
Karla Chubb (L) and Sam McCann (R) of Sprints perform at the Olympia Theater in Dublin on December 12, 2023.
Fans were quick to send love and support to Karla on social media.
After releasing singles such as Pathetic, The Cheek and Kissing Practice, as well as an EP called Manifesto, they released their debut album Letter To Self in January, which peaked at number 11 in the Irish charts.
They released their debut album, Letter To Self, in January, which reached number 11 in the Irish charts, and have supported Irish hip hop band Kneecap in concert.
Speaking about the album in an interview with Clash MagazineCarla said: “I think the album is very confessional and autobiographical and definitely marks a time in our lives and a lot of the struggles I’ve faced up to this point, particularly internally.”
“And that’s the problem, as much as they were caused by external factors or things I’ve experienced or people, the damage is internal.”