NEWS
Sports Team are offering fans a chance to fire five shots of a web-controlled paintball gun at them – read on to find out how.
The Cambridge band are preparing to release their third studio album ‘Boys These Days’ on May 23 via Distiller Records/Bright Antenna, which you can pre-order/pre-save here. They have previewed the album with the singles ‘I’m In Love (Subaru)’, ‘Condensation’, ‘Bang Bang Bang’ and ‘Maybe When We’re 30’.
Ahead of the release, they will be offering people who pre-order the album the opportunity to hurl paintballs at them.
In an Instagram post on Friday (May 9), they wrote: “On Tuesday we’ll be spending the day in a room doing live sales of the new album with what remains of our dignity and a 3000psi, web-controlled paintball gun. Buy the record. Get five shots.”
The post comes alongside a video of the band in the studio, showing the paintball gun in question aiming at a range of melons. “It’s ok to hate Sports Team,” reads a caption. “Six band members, four hours, one web-enabled fully remote paintball turret gun. Buy the album, get 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 shots. 13th May.”
The band have also announced a series of in-store gigs to take place around the release of the album – tickets are on sale now and can be bought in participating stores or on the band’s site here.
MAY
21 – Banquet, Kingston
22 – Assai at Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh
23 – Assai, Glasgow
24 – Live at Leeds signing
25 – Jacaranda Baltic, Liverpool
26 – Rough Trade, Nottingham
27 – Rough Trade, East London
28 – Resident, Brighton
29 – Rough Trade, Bristol
‘Boys These Days’ will be the follow-up to 2022’s ‘Gulp!’, which NME awarded four stars and noted was “a cocky, self-assured record that blends Sports Team’s chaotic energy with a smart, heartfelt understanding of the power of guitar music.”
“Through it all, Sports Team are just trying to have a good time. It’s a relatable sentiment given these times, and whether it’s the escapism of the live show or their communal spirit, ‘Gulp!’ sees the band continue to build something to believe in.”
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
