NEWS
Michelle Joy, frontwoman for indie rock band Cannons, shared on social media Tuesday that she was recently groped by a concertgoer while she was performing onstage.
“While performing one of our last shows of the tour, I was groped on stage by an audience member,” she wrote in a black-and-white text post, shared to the band’s social media accounts. “It was one of the most uncomfortable things I’ve ever experienced and a complete invasion of my space, privacy, and body. It left me feeling unsafe and violated.”
Alongside the post, she included the caption, “Just want to create a safe space for ourselves and everyone at our shows so found this important to share today.”
Her post continued: “Sexual harassment will absolutely not be tolerated at any Cannons show. Especially being a female fronted band, we care deeply about our shows being a safe environment where not only women, but everyone regardless of gender, age, race, sex, etc. can come together and share in the joy of our music, ourselves included. If you ever feel unsafe or see something that doesn’t feel right, please let someone around you know. We encourage you to speak up, be kind, and take care of one another.”
Cannons — which formed 10 years ago in LA and also includes guitarist Ryan Clapham and bassist and keyboardist Paul Davis — scored their first Alternative Airplay No. 1 in 2021 when “Fire for You” topped the Jan. 30-dated chart. Initially released in 2019, “Fire for You” found a second life thanks to its 2020 appearance in Netflix’s Never Have I Ever.
On Wednesday (Oct. 25), the band took to Instagram Stories to thank fans for their kind words after Joy’s post about the onstage violation. “Reading through your comments now and just wanted to thank all of you for your kind words, encouragement and support, you all are truly THE BEST and we are sooo [grateful] to have such a wonderful fan base, love you very much!!!” they wrote. “Excited to keep moving forward and make live music a little safer for everyone, see you all again soon!”
KROQ DJ Megan Holiday was among the fans chiming in, writing in the comments section of the original post: “Ugh wtf is wrong with people?!! I’m so sorry Michelle. Sending you all the love and hope you’re okay.”
Next up, Cannons join Lovejoy and littleimage for a pair of concerts in Mesa, Arizona, on Dec. 13 and 14.
Stories about sexual assault allegations can be traumatizing for survivors of sexual assault. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can reach out to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). The organization provides free, confidential support to sexual assault victims. Call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) or visit the anti-sexual violence organization’s website for more information.
NEWS
Lola Young has joined forces with Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to release a new T shirt for the charity’s Lifelines collection.
The shirt supports CALM’s suicide prevention work, with proceeds helping to fund vital resources such as its helpline and CALMzone mental health app.
CALM introduced the Lifelines range last year, with Fontaines D.C., Blossoms and Inhaler also contributing their own designs to the collection.
Young’s design includes the words, “There’s a flicker of light. There’s always morning after the night”, taken from her track ‘Flicker Of Light’.
“I wrote this song about realising there is hope. I have often felt like there isn’t, but there is always a reason to keep going,” Young said. “That’s even when you don’t want to get out of bed, you do, and that is amazing, and you’re still here, and you’re still alive, and if anything, that’s something to be proud of.”
CALM CEO Simon Gunning also shared his appreciation for the collaboration, saying: “We couldn’t be more grateful to Lola for supporting ‘Lifelines’ and showing just how powerful music can be as a force for good.”
Priced at £30, the T shirts come in both standard and boxy fits and are available to purchase here.
Young has regularly spoken about her experiences with mental health. She returned to performing earlier this year after calling off her 2025 tour because of exhaustion. The decision followed her collapse during a performance in New York City. During her time away, she later discussed receiving support for addiction and attending AA meetings as part of her recovery.
In an interview with NME in May, Young explained that she believes “all healing journeys are never ending”, although she is now “definitely in a much better place”. She also said she feels “excited and ready to perform and to release music”.
Reflecting on the encouragement she received after publicly discussing those challenges, Young said: “My fans inspire me in the same way I hope to inspire them. I feel like I’ve never tried to be especially honest… it just comes very naturally to me.”
“I don’t really have any other choice but to be honest, so if people connect to that, and that’s amazing.”
Several musicians have also applauded the ‘Messy’ singer for honestly addressing the pressure placed on touring performers. Lily Allen said she was “in awe” of the BRIT and Grammy winner, while Victoria Canal credited Young with bringing greater attention to the damaging impact demanding tour schedules can have on artists’ mental wellbeing.
When NME asked whether musicians were beginning to establish firmer boundaries around their health, Young replied: “I never intended it to start a movement, but I hope that it does in some way.”
