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A band from New York was left distraught after thousands of pounds worth of equipment was stolen and their van damaged before a gig in Cardiff .

Five-piece retro-pop band Pavo Pavo, from Brooklyn, said they were “shocked” when returning from their sound check at Gwdihw to find the items taken from their van on the afternoon of November 9 at the club on Guildford Crescent.

'Every dollar counts'

Now the band has launched a crowdfunding page to help them make up the funds lost during the incident, and have pleaded with their fans that “every dollar counts”.

(Image: Google)

They wrote on their YouCaring crowdfunding page: “On tour our van is home, and so it was very shocking and sad for all of us – especially since we’d only been away for an hour and it was parked in front of the club.”

The band said they reported the theft to authorities, and officials from South Wales Police helped and were “very nice”, but that they weren’t able to get anything back.

A Cardiff musician gets his street partying

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'Tour is a break-even affair'

The post on the site added: “Insurance didn’t cover anything other than the vehicle damage. Since we’re a young band and not playing big clubs (especially in Wales!), tour is a break-even affair, so this kind of thing really hurts.”

The band, made up of Eliza Bagg, Oliver Hill, Ian Romer, Pete Coccoma and Noah Hecht, was on a seven-date tour of Europe, with the Cardiff date sandwiched between two others in London after releasing their debut album Young Narrator In The Breakers.

They estimated the total damage as being $4,200, and the post added: “It would mean the world to us if you could chip in anything you can, in the holiday spirit, and circulate among friends on social media and in person.

“We know it’s a lot of money but every dollar counts, really truly.”

Among the stolen items, the group said, are two MacBook Pros worth a total of $3,600, two US passports worth $300 in fees, a hard drive, a pair of Sony headphones, another pair of Sennheiser in-ear headphones and a handmade leather backpack, which the band says is “priceless”.

Police are investigating

A South Wales Police spokesman said: “Police are investigating a report of theft from a vehicle, which occurred between 7.45pm and 8.45pm on November 9.

“A number of valuable items, including laptops, passports and music equipment, were reported stolen after thieves broke in to a Volkswagen Crafter hire van, which was parked on Guildford Crescent in Cardiff.

“Anyone with information about the theft, or who believes they may have been offered stolen items for sale, should contact South Wales Police via 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously, quoting reference 1600434951.”

To support the fund, go to www.youcaring.com/pavopavo-719465