Enter Shikari frontman Rou Reynolds is generally a free-spirited individual. Known for discouraging fans from paying extra money to meet him and his bandmates, Reynolds has always had his fans’ back — that is, however, until one Enter Shikari supporter got a little too up-close-and-personal with the lead singer.
As seen in the video below, Reynolds lashed out violently at a fan after he was allegedly groped by an audience member.
In a full statement released by the band, Reynolds defended his actions by stating, “I defy anyone to have their scrotum grabbed and not lash out instinctively."
Reynolds later followed up his remark by affirming “violence is never the answer" and that he was very unhappy with how he reacted.
To see the full statement, be sure to look below.
"Hi all, Rou here.
Just seen this video and in order to stop speculation just thought I’d clear up what happened.
After performing the end of ‘Radiate’ in the crowd some people behind me began trying to pull my trousers down . I tried to push them away a few times but due to the density of the crowd this didn’t work. It then progressed (perhaps fuelled by some sort of stubborn oneupmanship) and I began to have my buttocks and my… er, ‘undercarriage’ groped. At this point I spun round pretty shocked and intimidated and asked angrily if they “wanted a punch” - lighter approaches having not worked! - hoping his would stop it.
That seemed to do the opposite and gave them more vigour. I defy anyone to have their scrotum grabbed and not lash out instinctively…
Obviously violence is never the answer and I’m very unhappy personally with how I acted. I should have left the crowd and headed back to stage immediately when this started happening but due to the density of the crowd and the intensity of the situation things played out differently, I’m only human.
The rest of the show was thoroughly enjoyable and the audience overall were great. Everyone else we met before and after the show was absolutely lovely too. It’s a shame but obviously because of this incident I won’t be heading into densely packed crowds in the near future.
P.S. To address the “they paid to see you, so it doesn’t matter what they did…” argument; the ticket price for an Enter Shikari show doesn’t include free access to my gonads I’m afraid. You’re not a doctor. And I’m not a prostitute.
We appreciate & respect every single person that supports us and all we ask in return is respect back. The way this person/people acted was not respectful whatsoever.”
