Fans of Arcade Fire have been calling for the band’s tour to be cancelled in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations made against frontman Win Butler.
The singer, who is due to perform at the AO Arena in Manchester this weekend, has stated that the extramarital relationships were consensual.
He is married to fellow Arcade Fire musician Régine Chassagne.
On Saturday, an article published in Pitchfork detailed allegations of sexual misconduct from four former fans of the band.
Win Butler performing with Arcade Fire. Credit: Facebook
Three women and one gender-fluid person, who were aged between 18 and 23 at the time, said that Butler behaved inappropriately towards them.
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Butler, whose full statement is at the end of this article, said: “While these relationships were all consensual, I am very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behavior.
“Life is filled with tremendous pain and error, and I never want to be part of causing someone else’s pain.”
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He added: “I vehemently deny any suggestion that I forced myself on a woman or demanded sexual favors. That simply, and unequivocally, never happened.”
The Arcade Fire musician also said: “I f***ed up, and while not an excuse, I will continue to look forward and heal what can be healed, and learn from past experiences. I can do better and I will do better.”
But despite calls from fans who were left reeling by the accusations to cancel or postpone their tour, Arcade Fire went ahead with their scheduled opening night in Dublin last night.
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Feist has donated all proceeds from her merchandise to Women’s Aid. Credit: Flickr
They were supported by singer-songwriter Feist, who donated the proceeds from all of her merchandise to Women’s Aid.
The Canadian band will then head to Birmingham on Friday, and Manchester on Saturday 3 September, before moving on to perform in cities across Europe.
Several fans have said that they applied for a refund from their point of purchase but that these requests were denied.
Many have written that they don’t feel comfortable attending the shows in the wake of the allegations.
One person wrote: “I’m a massive Arcade Fire fan, so I’m pretty gutted about the Win Butler revelations. Was going to Manchester to see them play on Saturday and just not sure I can now. I hope they at least give fans the option of a refund.”
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Another said: “Really let down that @arcadefire are continuing to tour despite the allegations that have been made..I have zero interest in going on Sat 3rd to cheer on a man who has behaved in such a manner. Cancel and refund us the huge amount spent to see you.”
Someone else commented: “Got tickets to see them in Manchester on Saturday… been a fan since Neon Bible and have so many important memories attached to their music. Hope they cancel the tour and the victims are OK.”
Arcade Fire’s Facebook page has also been flooded with messages from fans asking that they call off the tour, including one comment that said: “If you’re not going to cancel the tour at least postpone it until an investigation has happened. People aren’t comfortable supporting a group with a frontman who has these allegations against him…”
Win Butler’s statement in full
“I love Régine with all of my heart. We have been together for twenty years, she is my partner in music and in life, my soulmate and I am lucky and grateful to have her by my side. But at times, it has been difficult to balance being the father, husband, and bandmate that I want to be. Today I want to clear the air about my life, poor judgment, and mistakes I have made.
“I have had consensual relationships outside of my marriage.
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“There is no easy way to say this, and the hardest thing I have ever done is having to share this with my son. The majority of these relationships were short lived, and my wife is aware – our marriage has, in the past, been more unconventional than some. I have connected with people in person, at shows, and through social media, and I have shared messages of which I am not proud. Most importantly, every single one of these interactions has been mutual and always between consenting adults. It is deeply revisionist, and frankly just wrong, for anyone to suggest otherwise.
“I have never touched a woman against her will, and any implication that I have is simply false. I vehemently deny any suggestion that I forced myself on a woman or demanded sexual favors. That simply, and unequivocally, never happened.
“While these relationships were all consensual, I am very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behavior. Life is filled with tremendous pain and error, and I never want to be part of causing someone else’s pain.
“I have long struggled with mental health issues and the ghosts of childhood abuse. In my 30s, I started drinking as I dealt with the heaviest depression of my life after our family experienced a miscarriage. None of this is intended to excuse my behavior, but I do want to give some context and share what was happening in my life around this time. I no longer recognized myself or the person I had become. Régine waited patiently watching me suffer and tried to help me as best as she could. I know it must have been so hard for her to watch the person she loved so lost.
“I have been working hard on myself – not out of fear or shame, but because I am a human being who wants to improve despite my flaws and damage. I’ve spent the last few years since Covid hit trying to save that part of my soul. I have put significant time and energy into therapy and healing, including attending AA. I am more aware now of how my public persona can distort relationships even if a situation feels friendly and positive to me. I am very grateful to Régine, my family, my dear friends, and my therapist, who have helped me back from the abyss that I felt certain at times would consume me. The bond I share with my bandmates and the incredibly deep connection I’ve made with an audience through sharing music has literally saved my life.
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“As I look to the future, I am continuing to learn from my mistakes and working hard to become a better person, someone my son can be proud of. I say to you all my friends, family, to anyone I have hurt and to the people who love my music and are shocked and disappointed by this report: I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the pain I caused – I’m sorry I wasn’t more aware and tuned in to the effect I have on people – I f*cked up, and while not an excuse, I will continue to look forward and heal what can be healed, and learn from past experiences. I can do better and I will do better.”
Featured image: Publicity photo
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Eyebrows raised as key coach and director of the company set up to buy Salford Red Devils resigns
Danny Jones
Serious eyebrows and questions are being raised as the director of Jacobsen Venture Group (JVG), the company set up to buy local rugby league side Salford Red Devils, has now seemingly resigned from his position.
Krisnan Inu, who is also employed as an assistant coach at Salford Red Devils, appears to have stepped down from his role within the investment group this week, effectively immediately.
This latest development only spells more concern for supporters as yet more uncertainty circles around the Salford Community Stadium that is edging ever closer to the brink.
Reacting to the news on social media, fan organisation The 1873 is now looking for further clarity as to what this means for the future of the club.
Krisnan Inu resigns as director of Jacobsen Venture Group Ltd – the company set up to buy Salford Red Devils.
A major development that raises serious questions about the ownership group, the promised funding, and the people behind it.
Sharing a lengthy open letter of their own, as well as a screenshot of the former New Zealand and Samoan international’s official resignation papers via Companies House, the supporters group have now reiterated their “call for transparency.”
Aside from urging for assurances regarding “stability, and above all else, the safeguarding of Salford Red Devils’ future”, The 1873 have also stated their belief that this signals more key movements behind the scenes that the fan base has not yet been made privy to.
The statement goes on to read: “This is a significant development, given Inu’s longstanding relationship with, and evident support for, Saia Kailahi – Jacobsen Venture Group’s other, and now sole, director.
“Inu has not only been a public backer but, by his own choice, a private supporter of Kailahi’s efforts to assume control of the club. His departure, therefore, raises serious questions.”
It was only back in August that fans, who have already mobilised multiple times in protest of the increasingly shadowy and tight-lipped consortium, slammed the 38-year-old ex-pro for defending the owners and clearly aligning himself with Kailahi, investor Dario Berta and others pulling the strings.
Hundreds marched through the streets before the game against Wakefield Trinity
They go on to speculate: “Would Inu, who also serves as the club’s assistant coach, step away from his role within Jacobsen Venture Group if he retained any confidence that the long-promised bridging loan was about to land, or indeed would ever materialise?
“Or has he now concluded that his trust and support have been misplaced, and simply had enough?”
They also noted that JVG has now moved its registered office from central London to Miles Platting here in Greater Manchester, though this is not the same address as Salford Rouges Diablo Ltd itself.
Continuing, they write: “This has all the hallmarks of the involvement of Steven England [former director], whose name has been linked to previous entities and involvement.”
England joined ex-CEO Paul King in quitting Salford earlier this year; however, the latter ultimately returned to try and help with the ongoing financial crisis.
As they see it, “Inu’s resignation feels like a highly significant indicator of his dwindling confidence in the ownership and by extension, the likelihood of the current financial crisis being resolved under Kallah’s leadership.” Neither the club nor Inu has yet to address the resignation publicly.
Only time will tell if the crucial funds promised so long ago will ever arrive and, more importantly, what this latest development ultimately spells for Salford Red Devils’ fate.
Stabbing at synagogue in Manchester now being treated as a terrorist incident
Danny Jones
A major incident has been declared by GMP and the North West Ambulance Service following a vehicular attack and subsequent stabbing at a synagogue in central Manchester, with UK police now treating the tragedy as terrorism.
At least five were said to have been initially injured during the attack, which took place in Crumpsall just outside the city limits on Thursday morning, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham offering “some assurance that the immediate danger appears to be over.”
The stabbing itself occurred at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue around 9:30am as local members of the Jewish community were celebrating Yom Kippur – the holiest day in the religion’s annual calendar.
It has since been revealed that the suspect was shot dead by police officers, and two people have sadly passed away as a result of their wounds. A bomb disposal has also been called to the scene after ‘suspicious items’ were found in the vicinity.
— North West Ambulance Service (@NWAmbulance) October 2, 2025
Updating the public online, Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called to the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, on Middleton Road, Crumpsall, at 9.31am by a member of the public, stating he had witnessed a car being driven towards members of the public, & 1 man had been stabbed.
“GMP declared PLATO and a major incident at 9.37am. Shots were fired by Greater Manchester Police firearms officers at 9.38am. One man has been shot, believed to be the offender.”
Operation Plato is a set of measures carried out by the emergency services in response to large-scale incidents in the UK, including cases of suspected.
The statement goes on: “Paramedics arrived at the scene at 9.41am and are tending to members of the public, currently four members of the public with injuries caused by both the vehicle and stab wound”
“Members of the public are asked to avoid the area while the police continue to deal with the incident.”
A government COBR meeting has now been called in London later this afternoon, with footage of local police apprehending the perpetrator behind the car and knife attack at the busy Manchester synagogue also leaking on social media.
Meanwhile, Prime Keir Starmer is now said to be flying back to the UK from Copenhagen (where he was attending the 2025 European Political Community summit) immediately after having been briefed.
BREAKING: Police respond to reported stabbing at synagogue in Manchesterhttps://t.co/vkPtai1DyI
Despite insisting that the “serious situation” was dealt with quickly and “effectively”, Mayor Burnham has also urged people to avoid the area for the time being.
As well as the two confirmed deaths, three other members of the public are said to be in a critical condition following the deeply troubling attack. In addition to the takedown of the assailant, a further two arrests have been made.
Council Leader Bev Craig has now spoken publicly on behalf of the city of Manchester, writing: “We are all horrified by this shocking and reprehensible attack on members of Manchester’s Jewish community, on their holiest day.
“Our thoughts are with those who have been killed and seriously injured, their loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by this awful incident. We have been supporting our local community throughout the morning and offer our full support and love.”
“We will be working GMP, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and our local communities in the hours ahead to offer support and reassurance. Manchester stands with our Jewish community at this darkest of moments, and will come together as a city.”
Royal Family members have now also issued an official statement offering support and condolences, as well as thanking the emergency services for their swift action.
The identities of both the culprit and the victims are now said to be known, but details have not been disclosed at this time due to ongoing security reasons
Local authorities are now reportedly working with counterterror teams to search nearby houses in the error, and extra police have been dispatched to provide added security at other synagogues around the wider region.
King Charles says his and Queen Camilla's "thoughts and prayers are with all those affected" after at least two people were killed when a man drove a vehicle toward a crowd and launched a stabbing attack near a synagogue in Manchester, England.
A GMP spokesperson has gone on to add: “We know today’s horrifying attack, on the Jewish community’s holiest day, will have caused significant shock and fear throughout all of our communities.
“We’re grateful to the member of the public whose quick response to what they witnessed allowed our swift action, and as a result, the offender was prevented from entering the synagogue. We remain in direct contact with all synagogues across Greater Manchester to provide reassurance, and this will continue for as long as needed.
“We will continue to provide updates as we can, but I would ask anyone who believes they may have a loved one involved in today’s incident, [to] please use the Casualty Bureau information in the first instance.
“I would further ask anyone who may have images or footage relating to today’s incident, [to refrain] from circulating them on social media – please do share directly with GMP.”
Today we have witnessed a vile attack on our Jewish community on its holiest day.
We condemn whoever is responsible and will do everything within our power to keep people safe.
We stand with GM’s Jewish community at this time and will work through the day to support them. 🙏🏻
A live police update via BBC News described the attack in Manchester as nothing short of “devastating” and one that leaves a dark mark on what would otherwise have been an important and happy day for Jewish people across the country.
Counter-terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner, Laurence Taylor, told the British public that relevant authorities are mobilising nationwide “and fast” as the investigation progresses.
He also went on to ask civilians to remain vigilant and “be alert to what is happening in your own communities.”
Our thoughts go out to all those affected at this difficult time.
This is a breaking news story. More info to follow…
Daisy Jackson -
31st August 2022 
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