logo
‘I get idiot men calling me arrogant': Irish post-punks Sprints confront the mansplainers and misogynists

‘I get idiot men calling me arrogant': Irish post-punks Sprints confront the mansplainers and misogynists

The Guardian24-06-2025
Between the so-called 'Craic Pack' actors (Cillian Murphy, Saoirse Ronan, Barry Keoghan), a tranche of garlanded authors (Sally Rooney, Paul Lynch, Anna Burns) and the zeitgeist-dominating likes of Kneecap, Fontaines DC and CMAT, Irish culture is evidently having a moment. Sprints are delighted to be riding the wave of the 'Irish renaissance', as the Dublin band's frontwoman Karla Chubb wryly refers to it. 'We're definitely in a good time for being Irish internationally,' nods drummer Jack Callan, before swiftly puncturing this optimistic sentiment. 'I'm just waiting for it all to crash and burn now, like someone's going to ruin it.' Chubb zeroes in on the worst-case scenario: 'Paul Mescal's going to do something terrible!'
Mercifully, at the time of writing at least, Mescal remains secure in his position as the internet's most-wanted boyfriend – not that Sprints need to cling to their countryman's coattails. Since forming in 2019, the band – which also features Sam McCann on bass and guitarist Zac Stephenson – have risen through rock's ranks by gigging relentlessly with their cathartically boisterous, brutally candid post-punk. In 2023 they supported Suede on tour, finding a champion in Brett Anderson, who tended to linger side of stage during their sets. (McCann would often turn to suddenly see 'a menacing black silhouette' standing there. 'Like Slenderman,' says Callan.) The following year, their blistering, brooding, hook-riddled debut album, Letter to Self – which doubled as an unflinching, aphorism-strewn account of Chubb's mental health and ADHD struggles – reached the UK Top 20. In January it was shortlisted for an RTÉ Choice music prize, Ireland's biggest music award.
Now, ahead of their most high-profile Glastonbury slot yet, the band are preparing to step things up again. Letter to Self's forthcoming sequel, All That Is Over, leans harder into certain existing influences – Bauhaus, PJ Harvey – to arrive at a sound Chubb is semi-jokingly calling 'gothic cowboy', while expanding into less autobiographical territory by drawing on novels (Prophet Song, The Bee Sting, the works of Octavia Butler) and video games (Fallout). Not quite 'end of the world' stuff, explains Chubb over coffee with her bandmates in the bar of their London hotel on a sunny June day. 'But otherworldly. A lot of it is escapism – even though we're escaping from one dystopian world to another.'
The album was shaped by a contradiction: things really began to take off for Sprints just as the news cycle started to get significantly darker. 'We've built this beautiful, liberal, queer, creative bubble, and would be on tour playing these amazing shows … then you'd pick up your phone and be like, 'What the fuck is happening?' Like in Gaza, or the forest fires in LA. We're doing the most artistically true and honest thing, and it's set against this backdrop of the world feeling like it's gonna end at any moment.'
Music helps Chubb make sense of it all, she says. That is what the band's latest single, Descartes, is about, with its core lyric – 'I speak so therefore I understand' – riffing on the philosopher's first principle to capture the clarity and catharsis provided by songwriting. The track also reiterates the band's commitment to using their voice. Like many Irish acts – including Fontaines DC (whom they are due to support on tour this summer) and Kneecap – Sprints are politically outspoken. Chubb feels she bears the brunt of the pushback from this, and much more besides. Over the last year, she has been confronted with 'articles about my weight' alongside 'open letters from idiot men criticising my political stance – calling me arrogant because I had the audacity to use my platform on stage to speak about Palestine'.
Some of Chubb's anecdotes about the mansplaining she has endured are amusingly ludicrous – such as the one about the punter at a recent Dublin show who deigned to give her advice about the band's guitar parts before telling her his son 'could have done a better job'. In the early days of Sprints, Chubb felt pressure to perform solos 'to prove that I could play the guitar, because people were automatically going to assume that I didn't.' Today, she cares far less about the opinions of random blokes: 'With this album, I don't really give a fuck.'
Yet other instances of misogyny are harder to shake off. Last year, Chubb made headlines when she spoke about being groped by a gig-goer while on stage in Belfast (it happened during a Munich show too). At first, she wasn't even shocked, but then 'I started to talk about it and the guys were like, 'What the fuck?' So I thought, 'OK, this is something I'm allowed to be upset by.' When I decided to speak publicly about it, so many artists reached out and were like, 'the same thing happened to me, it's disgraceful.''
We could spend hours raking over the sexism Chubb has experienced as a frontwoman, but rather than cowed or beleaguered, she and her bandmates seem overall quietly euphoric. Rock band economics are precarious – 'there are months when we don't know how much, if any, money we're going to get in,' says Chubb – and the lifestyle can be tough: their original guitarist Colm O'Reilly left last year because he wanted to settle down. 'Touring life is not for everyone – if you don't like it, it's hell,' says McCann.
Sign up to Sleeve Notes
Get music news, bold reviews and unexpected extras. Every genre, every era, every week
after newsletter promotion
Yet the remaining members are clearly revelling in their ascent, enthusiastically reeling off their Glastonbury must-sees (Amyl and the Sniffers, Getdown Services, Nilüfer Yanya) before reflecting on the forward momentum and endless possibility of life on the road now that they get to do this full-time. 'There's always another show to play, there's always another album to write,' Chubb says, before letting out a droll chuckle. 'And there's always another crisis of faith or mental health to write a song about.'
All That Is Over is released on 26 September on City Slang. Descartes is out now. Sprints play Glastonbury's Woodsies stage at 2pm on Sunday 29 June
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Princess Charlotte rewears her favourite polka dot dress to Women's Euro Final - here's where to buy it on the high street
Princess Charlotte rewears her favourite polka dot dress to Women's Euro Final - here's where to buy it on the high street

Daily Mail​

time27 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Princess Charlotte rewears her favourite polka dot dress to Women's Euro Final - here's where to buy it on the high street

Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Princess Charlotte has already cemented her status as a royal style star - and her appearance at the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 Final proves it. Joining her father, Prince William, in the stands in Basel, Switzerland, Charlotte was there to cheer on the Lionesses during their nail-biting final against Spain. The young royal looked perfectly polished for the occasion, rewearing a navy chiffon polka dot dress by Guess, previously seen at last year's Wimbledon Championships. She paired the frock with her go-to Papouelli Mary Jane shoes, a staple in her rotation that have been spotted at numerous high-profile engagements. The look was a charming nod to sustainable dressing and the royal tradition of outfit repeating - just like her mother the Princess of Wales - with a youthful twist. Unsurprisingly, Charlotte's dress has sparked renewed interest among parents and fashion fans alike, eager to recreate her effortless ensemble. Whether you're looking to buy the exact outfit or find something similar on the high street, we've rounded up the best options to help you channel Charlotte's polished look - perfect for parties, family events or everyday wear. Dresses £70 Shop Shoes EXACT MATCH: Papouelli Siena Shoes £87 Shop

Chantelle Houghton shows off her incredible five stone weight loss in a plunging swimsuit as she enjoys a yoga class in Tenerife
Chantelle Houghton shows off her incredible five stone weight loss in a plunging swimsuit as she enjoys a yoga class in Tenerife

Daily Mail​

time27 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Chantelle Houghton shows off her incredible five stone weight loss in a plunging swimsuit as she enjoys a yoga class in Tenerife

Chantelle Houghton showed off her incredible weight loss in a plunging patterned swimsuit as she enjoyed a yoga class in Tenerife on Monday. The Celebrity Big Brother winner, 41, who has lost an impressive five stone, looked amazing in the daring purple one-piece while exercising in the sunshine. Chantelle was spotted stretching on a towel in a green space before going into the bird dog pose. Leaving her long dark tresses loose, she placed a pair of sunglasses on top of her head while working out on holiday. Earlier this year, Chantelle admitted that she is 'p***ed off' that people have accused her of taking Ozempic after her impressive five stone weight loss. The TV personality insisted she had 'never taken' the drug and instead put 'blood, sweat, and tears' into dropping the pounds. Chantelle first embarked on her weight loss transformation after reaching 13 stone following her 2021 split from ex-fiancé Michael Strutt and was relentlessly trolled for her weight. The TV personality used the negative comments as motivation and embarked on her weight loss journey that saw her drop an impressive five stone without stepping into a gym. Chantelle committed herself to a strict diet, avoiding processed foods and focusing on healthy eating but has since been accused of relying on weight loss drug Ozempic. She told The Sun: 'There was an article online not long ago, and the comments section was full of people saying, 'Ozempic, Ozempic. But I've never taken it. If I had, I'd happily admit it – I'm an open book. 'But I worked hard to lose that weight through blood, sweat, and tears, and it really p**sed me off that people dismissed my effort. I've had to learn to have thick skin and do what's best for me, but the comments did hurt.' Chantelle said she would never take the drug but warned people if they do turn to Ozempic to make sure it is 'from a legitimate source'. She continued: 'I personally wouldn't take it – things like that scare me – but I can understand why some people do. If you're going to use it, make sure it's from a legitimate source and not something dodgy. It's your body, and you have to do what feels right for you.' Previously Chanelle also said she had cut out alcohol from her diet because of the high sugar content as she gave an insight into her lifestyle overhaul. It comes as Chantelle has ruled out ever having cosmetic surgery again - despite being tempted after she gained three and a half stone during lockdown. She last went under the knife in 2016 when she had her breast implants removed, saying the original surgery was her 'biggest regret'. She previously told The Sun: 'When I had my breast implants removed completely, I knew that was my very last cosmetic surgery. I made a promise to myself I'd only go under the knife again for medical reasons.' In a recent interview with New magazine, Chantelle lifted the lid on her dating life and shared her dismay that 'only old men' are interested in her. She said: 'I'm open to meeting somebody. I'm not closed off from it, but I certainly haven't met anyone that I'd want to progress things with. 'I don't date, I'm not on any dating apps. If it's going to happen, it will happen naturally. But I've spent so much time on my own that I'm alright. 'I don't need someone to feel whole. I'm not trying to find my happiness in somebody else. I am happy on my own; if I meet someone, they're just going to add to that happiness. 'Don't get me wrong, I've had a few offers, but I've politely declined. Most of them are really old as well.' She said: 'But I worked hard to lose that weight through blood, sweat, and tears, and it really p**sed me off that people dismissed my effort' Chantelle shares her daughter Dolly, 12, with her ex-fiancé Alex, but their relationship broke down after claims he had been unfaithful in 2011. Alex and Chantelle have been far from amicable since their split, but have since moved on with their lives as Alex went on to have children with partner Nikki Manashe. Chantelle went on to get engaged to Michael Strut but the couple went their separate ways in 2021. She revealed in March that she's been celibate for the last two years following a string of disastrous relationships. The beauty said she has 'given up' looking for love due to the lack of 'gentlemen' in the world. The mother-of-one told The Sun: 'It's been about two years now and without sex I feel empowered, independent and free'. 'Chivalry appears to be dead and I'd much rather go through the rest of my life single than settle for someone who makes me miserable'. Back in 2006, Chantelle found love with Ordinary Boys singer Preston after meeting on Big Brother and admitted she was given almost £1million for their wedding interview. Since their split a year later, Chantelle has had a string of other high-profile relationships.

England's hero Lionesses to ‘rake in £80m' after Euro 2025 triumph as two top stars tipped for I'm a Celeb and Strictly
England's hero Lionesses to ‘rake in £80m' after Euro 2025 triumph as two top stars tipped for I'm a Celeb and Strictly

The Sun

time27 minutes ago

  • The Sun

England's hero Lionesses to ‘rake in £80m' after Euro 2025 triumph as two top stars tipped for I'm a Celeb and Strictly

Grant Rollings, Feature Writer Published: Invalid Date, THEY battled their way to Euros glory in a dramatic penalty shootout - and now England's brilliant Lionesses are set to strike it rich off the pitch. Following their history-making victory against Spain, the likes of captain Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly are now the nation's most in-demand stars, with the talented squad tipped to enjoy a deserved £80million windfall this year in money-spinning brand and TV deals. 12 Brand and culture expert Nick Ede thinks that success on the football field for England's women means they could be even more in demand than the men off it. Super sub Kelly, who coolly slotted home the crucial penalty in Sunday night's European championship final, has already said she'd love to appear on I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. While winger Lauren James and Williamson are now in the same league as Lionel Messi, having starred in a Walkers crisps advert with the Argentinian superstar. Fashion brands, sportswear companies and glossy magazines are all desperate to be associated with the glamorous team who love to party. Nick tells The Sun: 'In many ways the Lionesses should be in more demand than the men, because they are winners. They have won the Euros twice. 'Their currency is going to be much much higher now. 'The advantage they have over the men is that they have an appeal across the genders. Men like them and women want to be them. 'They could make between £50million and £80million." But as with the men's footballers, not all of the first team will become TV stars like Gary Lineker or commercial powerhouses like David Beckham. Nick says: 'Collectively as Lionesses they can be making a lot of money, this is their time to shine. 'They could be the next Alex Scott, who is now a bona fide presenter on the One Show, or Jill Scott who was on I'm a Celebrity. But with every team you only get a few stand out stars.' Here we look at which Lionesses will be the big winners off the pitch. Chloe Kelly 12 With her hop and skip run-up penalty technique and iconic goal celebrations, Chloe knows how to make an impression. The 27-year-old forward, who scored the winner in the 2023 final for England, always plays with a smile on her face. And she wants to bring that bubbly attitude to television as well by following former England midfielder Jill Scott onto ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. Chloe said: "I don't think I would do well like Jill. I think Jill is so bubbly and the challenges just didn't phase her. But I think I'd enjoy it - probably more so.'' The Arsenal player is already worth an estimated £2.5million, having signed a £1.5million deal with Land Rover. Nick says: 'I am sure Strictly Come Dancing and all the major reality shows will be eyeing Chloe. Out of all of them she seems to be the most famous.' She has modelled for Calvin Klein and worn Prada and Versace for photoshoots. Chloe has overcome adversity this year, having been frozen out of the Manchester City first team following an injury. She said her 'mental well-being' had suffered due to a 'character assassination' and switched to Arsenal on loan. Leah Williamson The England captain is believed to be the highest earning Lioness, having raked in £4million so far. The defender is being compared to the men's 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore. Fashion house Gucci took note of her glamorous appearance, making Leah a brand ambassador, while Calvin Klein asked the star to model their underwear. The 28-year-old Arsenal legend has also struck deals with Walkers crisps, Nike, Pepsi and Aston Martin. But she is a self-confessed 'introvert' who spent much of her free time at tournaments sleeping rather than socialising. That means it is unlikely we'll be seeing Leah on reality TV. Nick says: 'The big bucks are in longevity, getting a regular presenting show.' Lucy Bronze The veteran defender revealed that she played the whole of this summer's Euros with a leg fracture. That keep calm and carry on spirit is sure to make her a hit on challenge TV shows. Nick says: 'The injured leg story will push her to the forefront. Her heroics will propel her to get more jobs and more success. 'She is such a go-getter she'd be great for challenge shows like I'm a Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins.' Lucy, 33, whose middle name is Tough, said: 'I've been in a lot of pain. If that's what it takes to play for England, that's what I'll do.' She earned an estimated £200,000 a year while playing at Spanish giants Barcelona and is worth around £3.5million. The Chelsea player led Sports Direct's Legacy Starts Here TV ads and has endorsed VISA, Spotify, and Rexona. Hannah Hampton Until this summer, the 24-year-old goalkeeper was not a household name. But Hannah's two saves in the penalty shootout against Spain in the Euros final has turned the Chelsea player into a hero of the nation. Many people told Hannah she wouldn't make it as a goalie because she had an eye condition that affects depth perception, but she proved them wrong. Hannah, who has over 300,000 Instagram followers, is yet to appear in any major adverts. That, though, is sure to change. She is likely to eclipse England's former number one Mary Earps, who won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2023. Nick says: 'Players like Hannah can be great role models and influence future generations.' Alessia Russo With Spain 1-0 ahead at half time in the final, England needed an equaliser and Alessia was the striker who scored the crucial goal. The tenacious 26-year-old star plays with a smile on her face and that has made her popular with advertisers. Her earnings in 2023, when she won the Euros with England, were believed to be £2million. Alessia has struck lucrative deals with Adidas, Gucci, PlayStation and Beats by Doctor Dre. The outgoing player appeared at the BAFTA TV Awards in May, is a regular at London Fashion Week and has appeared on the cover of magazines. She has a podcast with her England team mate Ella Toone called the Tooney & Russo show. Being an engaging talker is important. Nick says: 'There is a real trend for women being brand ambassadors. In tennis Emma Raducanu showed how much you can earn by being a winner. 'There are speaking opportunities that are lucrative, whether it is corporate or brand.' Lauren James 12 An injury curtailed Lauren's final, but the attacking player scored one of the goals of the tournament in the group stages. The 23-year-old Chelsea forward is eclipsing her brother Reece James, the defender who plays for England. Lauren appeared with Leah in the Walkers crisp advert which was often on TV during the commercial breaks. She has also made an advert for Pepsi, alongside David Beckham, worn Nike clothing and promoted Optimum Nutrition. With nearly 900,000 followers on Instagram she is clearly building up a recognition under the name J10, which is similar to Cristiano Ronaldo's CR7. It is only with off the field deals that Lauren will be able to overtake her brother financially. Lauren earns £350,000 a year at Chelsea, while Reece earns £250,000 a week for the same side. Nick says: 'They need to maximise on their success at the Euros because they are not as well paid as the men.' 12 12 12

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store