Death Cab For Cutie‘s frontman, Ben Gibbard, has recently spoken out about the difference between the healthcare systems in the United States and the United Kingdom during their show at Royal Albert Hall. In an interview with NME, Gibbard drew attention to the disparity between the two countries while discussing the band’s current UK tour.
The American indie-rock group began their UK tour last week in support of their 2022 album ‘Asphalt Meadows.’ However, the tour was soon disrupted when several shows, including gigs in Edinburgh and Glasgow, had to be called off due to Gibbard’s illness. The band managed to return to the stage to perform in Brighton and London’s Roundhouse before playing at the Royal Albert Hall in London this past Wednesday.
During the Royal Albert Hall show, Ben took a moment to address his recent battle with a cold and praised the UK’s healthcare system. He jokingly suggested that Death Cab For Cutie should be ‘sponsored by Boots,’ a British pharmacy chain, as the band had spent the weekend fighting off the cold with the help of the Boots chemists.
Ben Gibbard’s words about the UK drugstore Boots’ chemists read:
“You know how you’ll see shows like ‘Jack Daniels presents Mötley Crüe’ or ‘Budweiser presents The National.’ OK, maybe not that last one – but after these past few weeks we’ve had, I feel like we should be sponsored by Boots.“
He added:
“You guys don’t know how lucky you have it. You’ve got a chain of stores where people really know their stuff and what medicine you should have.”
His words highlight the stark contrast between the two countries’ healthcare systems and the valuable support provided by the UK’s Boots pharmacies and their knowledgeable staff. Gibbard’s comments serve as a reminder of the importance of accessible and reliable healthcare systems worldwide, as well as the significant role that pharmacists and chemists play in helping individuals during emergencies.
