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.
Fontaines D.C. have teamed up with Rosalía for their new collaboration, Where Is Gone?.
The song features on the Irish rock band's forthcoming album, Dopamine Chamber, which arrives on Friday (16.10.26). For guitarist Carlos O’Connell, working with the Spanish superstar is particularly special because of his own Spanish roots.
He explained: “I’ve admired Rosalía ever since her debut album, which I thought was absolutely beautiful.
“What excited me most was the way she continued to preserve Spain's musical traditions, something that felt spiritually connected to what we've been trying to achieve with Irish music. Having roots in both countries, it's been really special to witness. "She's an artist who has continued to amaze me at every point in her career.”
Frontman Grian Chatten has also described the collaboration with Rosalía as one of the most memorable achievements of his career.
He revealed that he felt "humbled" when she agreed to lend her voice to the band's album.
Speaking to NPR, Grian said: “I've always felt there's something almost like a single big idea that I'm personally trying to communicate to the world before I get old and die, if that makes sense. There's one thing I think I'll spend my life trying to express. I have a feeling she has a similar outlook. … I mean, she's an amazing arranger, composer and lyricist. It means so much that she wanted to sing on something we'd put together. It's definitely one of the highlights of my career.”
Rosalía's links to Irish rock music extend beyond Fontaines D.C. She also offered inspiration and helped develop the Spanish lyrics for U2's The Mirror Maker (Rosalía), a track from their forthcoming album, Carnaval de Luz.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last week, she spoke about frontman Bono, saying: “I don't know him personally, but he sent me a text explaining that he was working on a new project and had written a song called The Mirror Maker."
Rosalía joked that Bono had invented a few words of his own.
She recalled telling him: “I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I told him he could create his own language if he wanted to.”
She described the opportunity to collaborate with the 66 year old music veteran as a real privilege.
She added: “Bono is a legend.
“It's amazing.”
Bono recently revealed that he was worried about seeming like a stalker when he reached out to Rosalía to ask whether he could name the song after her.
