Leslie Feist, a Canadian artist who until then provided the first part of Arcade Fire, has announced that he will leave the group’s tour. The reason: allegations of sexual misconduct leveled at Montreal team leader Win Butler.
On Instagram, the singer and musician explains that she has asked many questions about her role in the face of these accusations and states that she “can’t continue” performing with Arcade Fire any longer.
“Toxic masculinity, being physically, psychologically, emotionally or sexually abused, unfortunately affects us all. I can’t solve this problem by leaving the tour, and I can’t solve it by staying. But I can’t continue.” he says he in his post.
She adds: “I am not perfect and I will surely handle this decision poorly, but what I am sure of is that the best way to take care of my group, my team and my family is to distance myself from this tour. […] I’m going home.”
four testimonials
Saturday, August 27, the specialized magazine Gallow published an investigation in which three women testify, on condition of anonymity, that Win Butler allegedly behaved inappropriately with them. They “consider that the singer was moved given the age difference and the context in which the events occurred.”
These three people are fans of the Montreal group and are between 18 and 23 years old. The incidents are believed to have occurred between 2016 and 2020.
In addition to these testimonies, a fourth person – described as non-binary – also testified in the magazine Gallowaccusing Win Butler of having “sexually assaulted her twice in 2015, when she was 21 and he was 34.”
“I have never touched a woman against her will”
In a lengthy statement sent to music media in response to these allegations, Win Butler admitted to having sex with each of the people named in the investigation. The artist, however, vehemently assured that these relations were agreed upon and that he was not the initiator.
“I have never touched a woman against her will, and any insinuation to that effect is simply false”, declares the artist before continuing: “Even if these relationships were all consensual, I am very sorry for those I have hurt. . For my behavior”.
Since these accusations, Feist has said that he has donated all the profits from the sale of his merchandising, during the dates he has provided, to the Aid to Women association, which helps and accompanies women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
Source: BFM TV
