The music world has reacted with shock to the news that rising band Viola Beach have been killed in a road accident in Sweden.
As reported, The Foreign Office has today (February 14) confirmed that five British nationals died in a car crash in Stockholm, Sweden. The Guardian reports that the car plunged 80ft from a highway bridge into a canal in the city.
The identity of the men killed has yet to be confirmed but it is believed the men are guitarist and vocalist Kris Leonard, guitarist River Reeves, Bassist Tomas Lowe and drummer Jack Dakin. The band’s manager was Craig Tarry.
Courteeners frontman Liam Fray led the tributes and recalled the period in 2015 when Viola Beach were supporting his band on tour. “Heartbreaking news about @Viola_Beach,” he wrote. “Watched them soundcheck in December with us. They were destined for big things. Can’t believe it.”
Ryan Jarman of The Cribs, meanwhile, echoed the sentiments of many when he wrote of the utter disbelief as to what has happened. See a selection of Twitter tributes to Viola Beach below.
http://storify.com/nmemagazine/viola-beach-tributes
Viola Beach released their debut single ‘Swings & Waterslides’ in 2015 and were set to support Blossoms on their February and March UK and Ireland tour. They were due to fly out to Texas next month with an appearance at SXSW confirmed.
Other festivals they were due to appear at through 2016 include The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City, Bushstock, Latitude, The Secret Garden Party, Liverpool International Music Festival and T In The Park.