Australian post-punk rock act Trophy Eyes has spoken publicly for the first time following a devastating injury to a fan during a concert last week in Buffalo, NY.
“As the result of a tragic accident on the night of April 30th, a Trophy Eyes fan was injured at our Buffalo NY show,” reads a post to X. The band “immediately shut down” the show as frontman John Floreani accompanied the supporter to hospital, joined with family.
That fan has now been identified as Bird Piché, whose family and friends have set up a GoFundMe to cover her medical costs. Piché, reads a statement on the fundraiser page, suffered a “catastrophic spinal cord injury” while attending the concert and has undergone extensive surgery.
Currently, almost half the $100,000 target has been raised.
Bird now faces a lengthy recovery. “It is still too early to know what her prognosis is but after leaving the hospital she will need to go to a rehab facility. She will obviously not be able to work during this time,” reads the statement.
The incident reportedly occurred when Floreani dived from the stage at Mohawk Place.
Trophy Eyes are said to be “truly heartbroken” by the news. “This situation has shaken us all to our core, and we ask for patience while we look to help Bird navigate this difficult time,” the band’s message reads. “Please, keep Bird in your thoughts. We remain in close contact with them and will expand on this as news arrives,” the statement continues.
Hailing from Newcastle, Australia, Trophy Eyes has secured spots on the Vans Warped Tour, Reading, Leeds, Splendour In the Grass, Unify Gathering and other major festivals.
The band’s three studio albums, 2023’s Suicide and Sunshine, 2018’s The American Dream and 2016’s Chemical Miracle, all peaked at No. 8 on the ARIA Albums Chart.
Trophy Eyes’ North American tour continues Tuesday night, May 7 in Denver CO.
Donate to Bird’s GoFundMe here.