Barrow band The Native Cult 'overwhelmed' by response after van stolen

The Native Cult travelled on Thursday, 26 to see Jordan Rakei perform at The Albert Hall. They came back to their van ready to sleep in it - but it was gone. 

"The van was an unofficial member of the band, we called him Zeus, he was essential to gigging for us," guitarist and vocalist Kieran Day said. 

The Native Cult back on the road after their van was stolen (Image: The Native Cult)

Zeus had been part of the band for a 'few years' and had taken them across the country, doing gigs that Kieran said would not have been possible without him. 

They used the van as their home away from home, filled it with their favourite clothing items and used it to store music gear. Luckily, the band had removed the equipment from the van prior to going away. 

Zeus the van was an unofficial member of the band (Image: The Native Cult)

"It's almost as if we had a strange premonition that something would happen. So the silver lining and all that," Kieran said. 

Nonetheless, the band lost treasured items such as Kieran's grandfather's hat which he often wore for gigs and fellow band mate Beckah's handmade elephant jacket that was a gift for her wedding. 

Their camera which held footage for the festival has also gone and other things such as speakers, headphones and receipts for the tax year. 

Fellow member Beckah with a (borrowed) van (Image: The Native Cult)

Kieran said that they had been used public transport and lifts from friends and family to help them get to gigs and in-between. They plan to get another van as soon as possible but 'they aren't cheap.' 

"We've been overwhelmed by love and kindness from everyone," Kieran said. "As inconvenient as it has been, that support has kept our spirits high.

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"The amazing response from people has definitely taken away the sting." 

The band uploaded a live EP of songs they recorded last year as part of their Crowdfunding campaign to get a new van, pushing forward their original surprise release date in October. They were going to release the album for free, but have added a donation option. 

Kieran said that he hoped the story would 'spread caution' to other people when travelling to cities. 

"A simple wheel lock or tracking device on your van could prevent this happening," he said. "It sounds obvious but it's happening all the time."