Feist leaves Arcade Fireplace tour over a number of sexual misconduct allegations towards Win Butler

Canadian musician Leslie Feist says she’s leaving Arcade Fireplace’s tour resulting from sexual misconduct allegations towards lead singer Win Butler.

“This has been extremely tough for me and I can solely think about how rather more tough it’s been for the individuals who got here ahead,” the singer-songwriter write in a message posted to social media on Thursday.

“Greater than something I want therapeutic to these concerned.”

Feist had been booked because the opening act for the European leg of the Montreal band’s newest tour, which kicked off in Dublin on Tuesday.

The live shows went forward simply days after U.S. leisure publication Pitchfork ran an article containing allegations that Butler had inappropriate sexual interactions with 4 folks.

Among the many complaints by the accusers had been that the 42-year-old musician made unwelcome advances and behaved inappropriately based mostly on energy dynamics and gaps in age. One of many accusers instructed Pitchfork Butler sexually assaulted them two instances in 2015 after they had been 21 years previous and he was 34.

The Canadian Press has not independently verified the accounts outlined within the report, and Butler denies the allegations. In a press release, he stated all encounters came about between consenting adults and that he by no means touched a girl towards her will or demanded sexual favours.

Feist’s submit didn’t deal with the precise allegations however she acknowledged “this has ignited a dialog that’s larger than me, it’s larger than my songs and it’s definitely larger than any rock ‘n’ roll tour.”

She described studying in regards to the accusations outlined towards Butler whereas she was at a pub in Dublin after rehearsing together with her band. She says it left her little time to get her bearings and “determine my accountability on this state of affairs.”

“It may be a lonely highway to make sense of sick therapy,” she stated.

“I can’t remedy that by quitting, and I can’t remedy it by staying. However I can’t proceed.”

Feist carried out the primary two nights of the scheduled dates and describes folks round her “expressing sympathy for the dichotomy I’ve been pushed into.”

“To remain on tour would symbolize I used to be both defending or ignoring the hurt attributable to Win Butler and to depart would indicate I used to be the decide and jury,” she stated.

“I’m imperfect and I’ll navigate this case imperfectly, however what I’m positive of is one of the best ways to handle my band and crew is to distance myself from this tour, not this dialog,” she added.

Followers and members of the music business have reacted this week to the allegations towards Butler, with some ticket holders calling for Reside Nation to refund them for upcoming reveals, which embody dates in Canada later this yr.

Reside Nation has not responded to requests for remark.

In the meantime, a number of Canadian radio stations have pulled Arcade Fireplace from their rotation with Rogers Media saying its two various music radio stations in Edmonton and Vancouver have “paused” enjoying the band because it continues to “monitor the state of affairs because it unfolds.”

CBC confirmed it could additionally cease enjoying the rock act on its CBC Music FM radio station and the Sirius XM channel CBC Radio 3, no less than quickly, whereas Toronto station Indie88 reduce Arcade Fireplace from its playlist over the weekend.