This is the news that shook the world of indie rock last week: an investigation published on Pitchfork reveals the inadequate actions of the singer of the Canadian group Arcade Fire, Win Butler.
Sexual assaults, but also the sending of messages of a sexual nature without consent and a climate of control are denounced by three women and one non-binary person with whom the musician and singer was in contact between 2015 and 2020. These four witnesses were between 18 and 23 years old during the events told in the investigation, while Win Butler was over 35 years old. Behaviors that go the other way around“virtuous image” of the artist and the group.
Since 2004 and his album Funeral, the group is considered one of the spearheads of indie rock. It will be in France in Paris, Lille, Nantes and Bordeaux in September as part of its European tour that began a few days after the release of Pitchfork.
Feist’s decision
It was singer Feist who was to provide the first part. He had to, because the Canadian decided to retire following the Pitchfork revelations.
“It sparked a discussion bigger than me, bigger than my songs and obviously bigger than any tour. As I tried to find my feet and understand my responsibility in this situation, I received dozens of messages from people around me showing support for the dichotomy I was in. Being on tour meant defending or ignoring the damage done by Win Butler, and leaving him meant being judge and jury.
[…] We all have a story on this spectrum, from basic toxic masculinity, to pervasive misogyny, to being physically, psychologically, emotionally, or sexually assaulted. This situation touches each of our lives and speaks to each of us in a unique way. There is no path to recovery when any version of this list has been endured, nor a way to rehabilitate the culprits. […] I can’t fix anything by slamming the door, and I can’t fix anything by staying. But I can’t go on. […]
I’m not perfect and I will go ahead with this decision imperfectly, but I know that the best way to take care of my band, my crew and my family is to distance myself from this tour, but not from this discussion. ”
The singer announced that the money from her merchandise sales at Dublin concerts will be donated to Women’s Aid Ireland to support victims of domestic abuse.
In a statement following the release of Pitchfork’s investigation, Win Butler said his relationships were consensual and he apologized people hurt by his behavior.
To date, the shows on the Arcade Fire tour have passed without any protest against the singer, according to early concert reviews reported by NME. Several comments on social networks point out however a latent malaise among some fans…
Photo credit: Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Madmoizelle
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
