Mumford and Sons call on Swedish music festival organisers to combat ‘hideous’ sexual violence

Mumford and Sons have called on Bravalla Festival organisers to combat the level of sexual violence at the Swedish event.

The band headlined the festival last weekend, but have vowed never to play again unless security is improved after it was reported that five women were raped and 12 others sexually assaulted.

Expressing their concern in a statement the band wrote on Facebook: “We're appalled to hear what happened at the Bravalla Festival last weekend. Festivals are a celebration of music and people, a place to let go and feel safe doing so. We're gutted by these hideous reports.

“We won't play at this festival again until we've had assurances from the police and organisers that they're doing something to combat what appears to be a disgustingly high rate of reported sexual violence.”

Swedish popstar Zara Larsson also acknowledged the attacks on Twitter, saying those who commit such crimes “deserve to burn in hell”.

The Lush Life singer was left outraged after it was reported that a festival goer was sexually assaulted during her set at the event in Norkopping.

She slammed those who make “girls feel insecure when they go to a festival” and asked: "Where do all the 'nice guys' go when girls are raped?"

Some 35 reports of sexual molestation were also reported at Putte i Parken, a free festival in Karlstad.

Singer Pernilla Andersson, who performed at the event, said it is "crazy" that festival goers were assaulted while she was on stage and called for authorities to "fight hard" to ensure the saftey of those at similar events.

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