Arcade Fire’s Win Butler and Régine Chassagne have announced their split after 22 years of marriage.
In a statement posted to social media, the pair announced the split but said that Arcade Fire would continue.
A statement read: “After a long and loving marriage, Win & Régine have decided to separate. They continue to love, admire and support each other as they co-parent their son.”
They added that their “bond as creative soulmates will endure, as will Arcade Fire. The band send their love and look forward to seeing you all on tour soon.”
You can see the full post here:
Back in 2022, allegations of sexual misconduct arose against Win Butler. Five people came forward to accuse the singer of inappropriate behaviour, and the accusations also led to Feist leaving the band’s tour that year early.
Butler responded to the allegations in a lengthy statement, claiming he was “very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behaviour” but maintaining that “these relationships were all consensual”.
Régine also posted a statement in support of her husband at the time, writing: “Win is my soulmate, my songwriting partner, my husband, the father of my beautiful boy. He has been my partner in life and in music for 20 years. And for all of the love in our lives, I have also watched him suffer through immense pain.
“I have stood by him because I know he is a good man who cares about this world, our band, his fans, friends, and our family. I’ve known Win since before we were ‘famous,’ when we were just ordinary college students. 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. He has lost his way and he has found his way back. I love him and love the life we have created together.”
The band was founded by his brother Win in the early 2000s in Montreal; Will joined the line-up in 2004 ahead of their debut album ‘Funeral’. He remained in the group through their next five albums, and confirmed that he would be leaving around the same time that they announced their sixth album, ‘WE’ and before the allegations against Win emerged.
Around the time of Will’s departure from Arcade Fire, the remaining band members spoke to NME about the change in the line-up.
“He’s our family and everyone in the band’s family, and he’s such a brilliant guy – he has so many things that just aren’t this band,” brother and frontman Win Butler said. “And on a human level, he’s got three young children, he just has so much other stuff to do – we’re fully supportive of his path, and can’t wait to see it.”
Arcade Fire recently shared their seventh album, ‘Pink Elephant’, and previewed the album earlier in the year with the lead single ‘Year Of The Snake’.
Before then, the band had debuted the single at Willie Nelson’s Luck Festival, and also showed off the then-unreleased material at two special shows in Mexico City.