Arcade Fire took the stage at Dublin’s at 3Arena in Dublin on Tuesday for their first show since allegations of frontman Win Butler’s sexual misconduct surfaced.
According to fans in attendance, the band received a “rapturous applause” as they kicked off the concert with a performance of “Wake Up.” The arena was reportedly close to capacity, with only pockets of empty seats in the upper levels. For his part, Butler kept the stage banter to a minimum and made no mention of the allegations levied against him. Instead, he thanked the crowd “from the bottom of my heart” for coming out.
Butler also mingled with the crowd and posed for photographs prior to the concert kicking off.
In a report published by Pitchfork last weekend, four individuals — three women and one person who is gender-fluid and uses they/them pronouns — accused Butler of making unwanted sexual advances and engaging in other inappropriate and manipulative behavior.
In a written statement, Butler acknowledged having relationships with the four individuals, but said they were all consensual. “I have never touched a woman against her will, and any implication that I have is simply false. I vehemently deny any suggestion that I forced myself on a woman or demanded sexual favors. That simply, and unequivocally, never happened,” Butler contended.
The allegations surfaced just days ahead of the kick-off to Arcade Fire’s world tour in support of their latest album, WE. Feist, who is opening the European leg of the tour, donated proceeds from Tuesday’s tour merch sales to Women’s Aid Dublin.
Arcade Fire came out to rapturous applause pic.twitter.com/ZyvE6JZXW4
— Marie (@Morbegland) August 30, 2022
Arcade Fire open the first gig of their world tour in Dublin with Wake Up, which is some PR move – crowd immediately seems to be on their side pic.twitter.com/Q338Ki4zUp
— Christine Bohan (@ChristineBohan) August 30, 2022
If anyone was wondering, it’s business as usual for Arcade Fire. pic.twitter.com/IuKlKqUkgw
— Jason Carty (@Doctor_J_) August 30, 2022
Opening with Wake Up. Does anything matter? pic.twitter.com/R7PQPu2xZY
— Jason Carty (@Doctor_J_) August 30, 2022
#ArcadeFire #dublin pic.twitter.com/1xfn7G3VbX
— Rocky the horse (@horse_rocky) August 30, 2022
