Feist is set to leave Arcade Fire’s European tour.
Arcade Fire kicked off the tour in Dublin earlier this week, with Feist completing a support set. The show took place against the shadow of revelations about the behaviour of Win Butler, with the Arcade Fire founder accused of sexual misconduct and sexual assault.
The revelations were part of an in-depth investigation by Pitchfork, and caused global headlines. Win Butler’s partner Regine Chassagne is also a member of Arcade Fire, and vowed to continue alongside him.
In a new statement, Feist has revealed how difficult the conversations have been for her, and reiterated that she only found out about the news shortly before the tour kicked off. In a new note, she writes: “We didn’t have any time to prepare for what was coming let alone a chance to decide not to fly across the ocean into the belly of this situation. This has been incredibly difficult for me and I can only imagine how much more difficult it’s been for the people who came forward. More than anything I wish healing to those involved.”
The singer spoke of the unsolvable dilemma she was presented with – “To stay on tour would symbolize I was either defending or ignoring the harm caused by Win Butler and to leave would imply I was the judge and jury.”
She adds: “I was never here to stand for or with Arcade Fire — I was here to stand on my own two feet on a stage, a place I’ve grown to feel I belong and I’ve earned as my own. I play for my band, my crew, their loved ones and all of our families, and the people who pay their hard-earned money to share space in the collective synergy that is a show. The ebb and flow of my successes, failures, and other decisions affect all of our livelihoods and I recognize how lucky I am to be able to travel the world singing songs about my life, my thoughts and experiences and have that be my career. I’ve never taken that for granted.”
Discussing her experiences, and those of her female friends, she explained that she wanted to avoid public shaming, but also felt she could not do nothing.
Ending the note, Feist writes: “The last two nights on stage, my songs made this decision for me. Hearing them through this lens was incongruous with what I’ve worked to clarify for myself through my whole career. I’ve always written songs to name my own subtle difficulties, aspire to my best self and claim responsibility when I need to. And I’m claiming my responsibility now and going home.”
Find the statement in full below.
