These days we’ve grown accustomed to audience members throwing things onto the stage and sometimes striking performers. The phone that struck Bebe Rexha in the face is probably the most famous example, but bottles, bracelets, and all kinds of objects have flown toward stages. What isn’t as common is when the event happens in reverse.
That’s what happened during a Otoboke Beaver concert at Osaka’s Umeda Club Quattro in April. Yoyoyoshie, the guitarist of the chaotic Japanese punk band, hurled her guitar toward the crowd, an act she apparently had performed before without anyone getting hurt. This time, however, the instrument struck a spectator.
The person had to be rushed to hospital immediately and sustained several injuries, including a laceration and a sprain. The injury on the forehead required seven stitches. It’s hard to gauge how painful it must be to have a guitar slammed into your head, but merely thinking about it is enough to make you wince.
Otoboke Beaver has since publicly apologised for what happened, several months after the show. The band acknowledges that both Yoyoyoshie and the event crew did not act quickly enough in the aftermath of the accident, and that the response and the direct apology were delayed.
In its statement, the group says it is taking the incident “very seriously” and accepts responsibility for both the accident and the way it was handled afterwards. It also promises to take extra precautions to ensure something like this does not recur at future concerts.
