Arcade Fire will be on stage in Dublin, despite the scandal
Despite allegations of sexual misconduct against singer Win Butler, the first two concerts of Arcade Fire’s world tour will take place as scheduled on Tuesday and Wednesday in Dublin, Ireland.
• Read also: Sexual misconduct allegations: Montreal band Arcade Fire’s Win Butler charged
In a statement relayed by the daily Irish Mirror, the local promoter MCD confirmed, Sunday, that the Montreal collective remains on display at the 3Arena, on August 30 and 31.
According to the Irish Mirror, all tickets are sold out for the first gig and only a few remain for night number 2.
The tour show WE from Arcade Fire will be presented in several major European cities until October 1st.
After a break of a few weeks, the group will then begin, at the end of October, a series of concerts in North America which will end at the Bell Center in Montreal on December 3.
Arcade Fire was one of the headliners at the Osheaga festival in Montreal a few weeks ago.
In a report published by ForkOn Saturday, three women who were between the ages of 18 and 23 at the start of their interactions with the musician testified about their experiences, which allegedly took place during overlapping periods from 2016 to 2020, when Win Butler was between 36 and 39 years old.
According to them, these interactions would have been inappropriate because of the age gap, but also of the power dynamics and the context in which these relations would have occurred.
A fourth person, who identifies as being of fluctuating gender (gender fluid), said Win Butler sexually assaulted her twice in 2015 when she was 21 and he was 34, according to Fork.
Reached to comment on the allegations against him, Win Butler admitted, through public relations expert Risa Heller, to having had sex with each of the four people. However, he assured that these interactions were consensual and that he was not at the origin.
Régine Chassagne, member of the group Arcade Fire and spouse of the musician, supported Win Butler’s comment in a written statement sent to the media. “I know what’s in his heart, and I know he never has, and never will, touch a woman without her consent, and I’m sure he never has,” is it possible to read.
In a second statement provided to ForkWin Butler repeatedly apologizes about a period of drinking and depression when again addressing the allegations.
“While these relationships were all consensual, I am truly sorry to anyone I hurt through my behavior,” he wrote.
“Looking to the future, I continue to learn from my mistakes and work hard to become a better person, someone my son can be proud of. […] I’m sorry that I haven’t been more aware and more attuned to the effect I have on people – I screwed up, and while that’s no excuse, I’ll keep looking forward. before and to heal what can be cured, and to learn from past experiences. »
