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
News
Travel warning issued as 18 million road journeys are expected this bank holiday weekend
Travel warnings have been issued as millions of people prepare to journey across the UK this bank holiday weekend.
With the three-day weekend upon us, and people nationwide preparing to make the journey to visit family or friends on their extra day off work or school, the RAC has now issued one of its annual travel warnings – anticipating that 18 million people could be hitting the roads from this Friday evening onwards.
It’s all according to a new study of drivers’ late May bank holiday getaway plans carried out by the RAC and traffic analytics specialists INRIX.
There’s warnings of a potential ‘double dose of delays’ on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 May when the highest number of leisure trips are projected to be made by car – a total of 3.4 million on both days, respectively.
That figure drops slightly to 2.7 million on Sunday 25, before 3 million hit the roads on bank holiday Monday (26 May) for the start of half term.
18 million people are expected to hit the roads over the bank holiday weekend / Credit: Geograph | Pxfuel
To make matters even worse, an additional 5.4 million getaway journeys may take place at some point throughout the bank holiday weekend too, but at this point, drivers planning these trips are still unsure exactly when they’ll travel.
With most getaway trips due to begin before lunchtime, the research suggests the best times to hit the road will either be very early in the morning or later into the evening – with the majority (68%) of drivers saying they’ll be heading off at some point between 5am and 12pm, 14% planning to leave between 5am and 8am, nearly a third (30%) intending to travel mid-morning between 8am and 10am, and a further quarter (24%) setting off later between 10am and 12pm.
Traffic is expected to ease off rather significantly later in the day though, so if you are in a position to leave your journeys until the evening, then the RAC is advising that you take that option, as apparently on 3% of motorists say they are planning to do that so far.
“Our research shows it really is best to leave as early or late as possible this bank holiday weekend, as the majority of motorists are planning to set off in the morning,” commented RAC Mobile Mechanic, Aaron Bryan, ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
Tyler, The Creator is returning to Manchester and playing in the city’s newest live entertainment venue, Co-op Live.
The last time Tyler – or Mr Creator, if you will – found himself in our gorgeous city was just over two years ago when he headlined Parklife, sharing the bill with 50 Cent and Megan Thee Stallion as well as many more.
Now, he is playing his magnificent ‘CHROMAKOPIA’ album live as part of his world tour of the same name at none other than Co-op Live.
Tyler, The Creator gig guide
Tyler, The Creator is playing Co-op Live, Manchester, on 27 and 28 May.Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Tyler, The Creator UK tour dates
Sat 17 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Mon 19 May – London, UK – The O2
Wed 21 May – London, UK – The O2
Thu 22 May – London, UK – The O2
Tue 27 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 28 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Fri 30 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Sat 31 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Tyler, The Creator tickets for Co-op Live gig
If you’re after catching Mr Creator live in the flesh, this one might be tricky as there’s a hefty amount of people wanting to do the same thing, tickets for his 27 May show can be found HERE.
It’s a good thing he’s playing two dates otherwise getting your hands on tickets might’ve been sticky, you can browse all the options for 28 May date HERE.
Tyler, The Creator set list
St. Chroma
Rah Tah Tah
Noid
Darling, I
I Killed You
Judge Judy
Sticky
Take Your Mask Off
Tomorrow
EARFQUAKE
I THINK
Yonkers
Tron Cat
She
Tamale
Rusty
IFHY
LUMBERJACK
I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO DANCE
DOGTOOTH
SORRY NOT SORRY
Who Dat Boy
WUSYANAME
Thought I Was Dead
Like Him
See You Again
NEW MAGIC WAND
I Hope You Find Your Way Home
There are three tracks that act as interludes throughout the show too: ‘IGOR’S THEME’, ‘A BOY IS A GUN’ and ‘THANK YOU’.
What are the stage times for Tyler, The Creator in Manchester?
Tyler, The Creator is coming to Manchester and we’re sure he’ll be wearing something equally snazzy.
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning the ‘Flower Boy’ has enough time to sing ‘I Hope You Find Your Way Home’ while you get under the covers before midnight.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6pm with a kick-off time of 8pm and support from local Manchester talent Just Yaz hyping the crowd up beforehand.
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Daisy Jackson -
31st August 2022 
