WARNING: This text comprises content material about sexual assault and should have an effect on those that have skilled sexual violence or know somebody affected by it.
A pacesetter in Montreal’s music business says concertgoers upset by allegations of sexual misconduct in opposition to Arcade Hearth frontman Win Butler needs to be allowed to get a refund for the band’s upcoming world tour.
The allegations, reported by music information publication Pitchfork, have been made by 4 individuals in opposition to Butler. CBC couldn’t independently confirm the allegations as reported by Pitchfork.
One particular person alleges Butler sexually assaulted them twice after they have been 21 and he was 34. Three ladies accuse Butler of sexual misconduct between 2016 and 2020. The ladies have been between the ages of 18 and 23 whereas Butler was between 36 and 39 years outdated.
The allegations vary from unsolicited sexual textual content messages and pictures, to forceful touching. The individuals advised Pitchfork the alleged interactions have been inappropriate primarily based on age gaps and uneven energy dynamics, they usually felt they could not say no to Butler.
In an announcement, Butler denied the allegations and mentioned all encounters have been consensual and he by no means touched a girl in opposition to her will.
He apologized for “the ache I precipitated” and for not being “extra conscious and tuned in to the impact I’ve on individuals.”
He additionally described coping with despair and alcohol use when the alleged incidents befell, after his household skilled a miscarriage.
“I’ve linked with individuals in particular person, at exhibits, and thru social media, and I’ve shared messages of which I’m not proud,” mentioned the assertion.
“Most significantly, each single one in every of these interactions has been mutual and all the time between consenting adults. It’s deeply revisionist, and albeit simply mistaken, for anybody to recommend in any other case.”
Thus far, the band’s world tour, on account of kick off Tuesday in Dublin, goes forward as deliberate.
“Whether or not they need to cancel the tour or not, I feel there must be accountability,” mentioned Daniel Seligman, the inventive director of the POP Montreal music competition.
The allegations in opposition to Butler prompted outcry over the weekend, with individuals on social media demanding refunds or the cancellation of the tour.
no means ought to arcade fireplace proceed with their world tour on tuesday. it’s a wrap. cancel it already.
—@JillKrajewski
I need a refund, cancel the tour. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/winbutler?src=hash&ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>#winbutler</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArcadeFire?src=hash&ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>#ArcadeFire</a>
—@kimmaylynn
‘Poisonous’ music business tradition shifting
Seligman, who has been a part of the Montreal music scene for greater than a decade, labored with Arcade Hearth a number of occasions and mentioned there is a historical past of toxicity inside the business. He described the allegations as a “wake-up name.”
“The form of cliché of a rockstar sleeping with a groupie, I feel we all know much more about how these energy dynamics work and hopefully he has a realization that he cannot try this,” mentioned Seligman.
“There’s plenty of enabling on this world,” mentioned Seligman. “There’s individuals round that enable it to occur, which is upsetting.”
Seligman final labored with Arcade Hearth on the POP vs. Jock charity basketball sport in 2016, the place Butler met one of many ladies who has alleged sexual misconduct.
He mentioned Butler was disrespectful to POP Montreal workers members — lots of whom mentioned they might not work with the band once more — and requested the non-profit pay for his bills associated to the occasion.
“That was not an important expertise and to be taught that he used that occasion to form of prey on a youthful lady was tough to learn. It was upsetting for positive,” mentioned Seligman.
Butler’s spouse and bandmate, Régine Chassagne, additionally put out an announcement in assist of her husband.
“I do know what’s in his coronary heart, and I do know he has by no means, and would by no means, contact a girl with out her consent and I’m sure he by no means did,” Chassagne mentioned within the assertion. “He has misplaced his means and he has discovered his means again. I really like him and love the life we have now created collectively.”
Assist is obtainable for anybody who has been sexually assaulted. You’ll be able to entry disaster traces and native assist companies via this Authorities of Canada web site or the Ending Violence Affiliation of Canada database. In case you’re in quick hazard or concern on your security or that of others round you, please name 911.
