Two major Canadian radio stations, CBC Music and Indie88, have decided to pull Arcade Fire's music from their rotations following the accusations of sexual misconduct lodged against bandleader Win Butler by multiple people.
"In light of the recent allegations against Win Butler, CBC Music will pause on playing Arcade Fire's music until we learn more about the situation," said Chuck Thompson, CBC's head of public affairs, in a statement. The decision affects programming on CBC Music FM and SiriusXM CBC Radio 3.
"I can confirm that we made a quick decision over the weekend to pull the band's music," Ian March, program director at Indie88, told CBC News. "We have not yet had a fulsome internal conversation about the permanence of this decision."
CBC News also reported that St. Paul, MN, radio host Bill Childs has been tracking US radio stations who are also pulling Arcade Fire's music. Following the news of the allegations, he claims at least six stations that regularly play the band's material had dropped the songs as of yesterday (August 30).
Last night, Arcade Fire performed in Dublin — their first show since the allegations surfaced over the weekend. Opening act Feist had signs at her merch table indicating that proceeds would be donated to Women's Aid, a domestic violence non-profit.
Butler was accused of different incidents of sexual misconduct dating from 2015 to 2020 by at least four people in a report published by Pitchfork on Saturday (August 27). He has denied the allegations, telling the publication: "While these relationships were all consensual, I am very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behaviour."
His wife and bandmate Régine Chassagne supported Butler, adding, "I know what is in his heart, and I know he has never, and would never, touch a woman without her consent and I am certain he never did."
"In light of the recent allegations against Win Butler, CBC Music will pause on playing Arcade Fire's music until we learn more about the situation," said Chuck Thompson, CBC's head of public affairs, in a statement. The decision affects programming on CBC Music FM and SiriusXM CBC Radio 3.
"I can confirm that we made a quick decision over the weekend to pull the band's music," Ian March, program director at Indie88, told CBC News. "We have not yet had a fulsome internal conversation about the permanence of this decision."
CBC News also reported that St. Paul, MN, radio host Bill Childs has been tracking US radio stations who are also pulling Arcade Fire's music. Following the news of the allegations, he claims at least six stations that regularly play the band's material had dropped the songs as of yesterday (August 30).
Last night, Arcade Fire performed in Dublin — their first show since the allegations surfaced over the weekend. Opening act Feist had signs at her merch table indicating that proceeds would be donated to Women's Aid, a domestic violence non-profit.
Butler was accused of different incidents of sexual misconduct dating from 2015 to 2020 by at least four people in a report published by Pitchfork on Saturday (August 27). He has denied the allegations, telling the publication: "While these relationships were all consensual, I am very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behaviour."
His wife and bandmate Régine Chassagne supported Butler, adding, "I know what is in his heart, and I know he has never, and would never, touch a woman without her consent and I am certain he never did."
