The Killers taking tour misconduct claims 'extremely seriously'

The US rock band are known for hits like Mr Brightside and Somebody Told Me

The Killers have said they are taking allegations of sexual misconduct on one of their tours "extremely seriously".

It comes after a female sound engineer shared an account of a woman being abused backstage during a 2009 US tour.

In an article published online, she alleged members of the stage crew took turns to engage in sexual activity with a woman in a dressing room.

A representative for The Killers said the band would conduct an investigation of past and present tour staff.

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What are the allegations?

A woman, who is named on her Twitter account as Chez Cherrie, posted a blog recalling her time working for a band during a tour in 2009.

She says she was a sound engineer for the group, and the only woman working as part of the crew.

Recalling a specific incident in Milwaukee, she said: "We were about half way through our load-in when the FOH [front of house] engineer came over radio and said, 'Hey guys, there is a girl set up in Dressing Room A. Put your name on the list outside the door with your radio channel and we'll call you when it's your turn.'

"I continued my load out, occasionally hearing a name come over the radio to notify them that it was their turn on the train in Dressing Room A."

Cherrie said that later, on the bus, members of the crew would "swap stories" about their time with the woman.

As they were departing, she says a security guard ran towards the bus. "The security guy said, and I will never forget this moment because a piece of me died that night, 'That girl in Dressing Room A is passed out and naked. Is anyone going to take care of her?'"

She says the men on the bus laughed and declined, before leaving the venue.

"I cried that night in my bunk," she said. "I should've left the tour. I should've spoken up for that woman. I should've defended her... and made sure she was okay."

Cherrie did not name the band in the article, which was published in 2018, but identified them as The Killers while re-posting the article on Twitter on Tuesday evening.

None of the band members were implicated in the assault.

She added that she was working for the "largest sound company in the world" at the time - but did not name them.

How have The Killers responded?

A legal representative for The Killers told BBC News: "First and foremost, any allegations of inappropriate behaviour by anyone on The Killers touring team are taken extremely seriously by the band and their management.

"This person's story is appalling and, while The Killers do not have the same touring crew in 2020 that they had earlier in their career, they will be conducting a thorough investigation into past and present tour staff.

"Their legal team will be reaching out to this person for more information and clarity on the alleged incidents as detailed, as well as to the audio vendor who provided crew for the tour.

"The band are astonished and shocked by these claims. The behaviour attributed to them and their crew is unrecognisable and in direct opposition to the principles with which they run their workplace."

The Killers are one of the biggest rock bands in the world, best known for hits such as Mr Brightside, Somebody Told Me, Human and When You Were Young.

The group have headlined Glastonbury twice - in 2007 and 2019.