Arcade Fire play for first time since accusations
Arcade Fire play the Bell Centre Saturday, their first performance in town since allegations of sexual misconduct were made against Win Butler. CBC asked last week why fans couldn’t get refunds for tickets bought before the allegations were publicized.
There was a time when the idea of ostracizing the frontman of a popular band for trying to get with women would’ve raised questions whether we were headed straight back into a Puritan Victorian time. I’m not making any judgment here either way, but rock music, a style spawned in a more liberal time, sits uneasily with today’s mores in some ways.
DeWolf 13:22 on 2022-12-03 Permalink
The allegations were for stalking, harassment and straight up sexual assault, which goes a bit beyond bad-boy rock and roll star behaviour.
EG 13:31 on 2022-12-03 Permalink
I was disgusted when a friend of mine happily posted some photos of an Arcade Fire concert he’s just gone to.
I’m very into music, but I just couldn’t continue to support a band where someone has done things so reprehensible. I’m not just trying to moralize here.
Kate 15:07 on 2022-12-03 Permalink
I tend to suspect that the bad-boy behaviour of the past was no prettier, it just wasn’t seen the same way.
Meezly 12:38 on 2022-12-04 Permalink
Man, whatever happened to the heady days of rock n’ roll, when nubile groupies would willingly offer themselves to rock stars?
I mean, isn’t it supposed to be considered progress that men of power and influence can’t get away with bad boy behaviour like they did in the recent past?
Maybe young women today have a little more self-respect and self-awareness? This is merely an opinion, but I think a female Arcade Fire fan might be a little more educated than say, a fan of Drake, and knows where issues of consent and boundaries lie.
These women/persons weren’t exactly throwing themselves at Win. It seemed like Win had to utilize whatever status, privilege and means he had to bully and harass them so that they can get with him. Pretty pathetic.
EG 14:27 on 2022-12-04 Permalink
Agreed, Meezly.
I’m glad that things are shifting towards abusers being held more accountable, though there’s still a long way to go.
JP 16:19 on 2022-12-04 Permalink
@ Meezly Re “This is merely an opinion, but I think a female Arcade Fire fan might be a little more educated than say, a fan of Drake, and knows where issues of consent and boundaries lie.”
THAT is a very presumptuous opinion and I’m interested in why you think that. You’re making ALOT of assumptions there. I usually find your thoughts here reasonable but I find that opinion a little offensive and I’m not a fan of Drake. But I do wonder what biases of yours are at play here.
Meezly 19:17 on 2022-12-04 Permalink
Well, no one is ever perfectly free of any biases, least of all me. Unlike Arcade Fire, Drake is actually known for his misogyny and contempt for women. So yes, I’m making an assumption that if someone is a fan of Drake, they’ve likely bought into his worldview that it’s ok for men to be like that. Sorry if I’ve disappointed you.
dwgs 07:56 on 2022-12-05 Permalink
In light of recent events couldn’t one say that Arcade Fire, as represented by Win Butler, have become know for misogyny and contempt for women?
Kate 10:12 on 2022-12-05 Permalink
Not via their lyrics or history as a band, dwgs. Because personal allegations suggest Win Butler is an adulterous creep I don’t think it means Arcade Fire stands for the sort of attitude Drake does (google “drake on women” if you want a run‑down of his history in this area).