Will Butler left Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire just announced their new album WE and put out the great comeback single “The Lightning, I, II,” and they’ve been in the midst of playing some surprise intimate shows, and now longtime member Will Butler (brother of frontman Win Butler) has announced that he’s left the band after nearly 20 years. Writing on Twitter, he said:
Hi friends—
I’ve left Arcade Fire.I left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete. There was no acute reason beyond that I’ve changed—and the band has changed—over the last almost 20 years. Time for new things.
I’m working on a new record; booking some shows this summer. I’m working on music for a David Adjmi play (which is so good). A few other projects percolating.
[…] Thank you to anyone who’s come out to AF shows, or bought a record, or loves our music. It’s meaningful to be part of your lives. Thank you to the crew, staff, management, label people, bands, artists, and friends who have helped bring our vision to life for so many years.
The band are still my friends and family.
See his full thread below. Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner has been playing with the band at their recent shows in Will’s place. Their next show is at Bowery Ballroom tonight (3/19) and it’s sold out. Check out pictures of last night’s show at the same venue.
Will also recently weighed in on Neil Young, Joe Rogan, and Spotify.
Hi friends—
I’ve left Arcade Fire— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
I left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete. There was no acute reason beyond that I’ve changed—and the band has changed—over the last almost 20 years. Time for new things.
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
I’m working on a new record; booking some shows this summer. I’m working on music for a David Adjmi play (which is so good). A few other projects percolating
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
I was at Paul Farmer’s memorial service last weekend. The words from the ceremony, and the challenge of his life, remain at the front of my mind: pic.twitter.com/32K4Svwbsp
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
I’ll still be working with @plus1org and @pih—and the many activists and good humans and elected officials I’ve met—to give people material help; to build better systems of health, justice, and government; to try to live up in some way to Paul’s example.
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
Thank you to anyone who’s come out to AF shows, or bought a record, or loves our music. It’s meaningful to be part of your lives. Thank you to the crew, staff, management, label people, bands, artists, and friends who have helped bring our vision to life for so many years
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
The band are still my friends and family pic.twitter.com/0E1Dtj9vZm
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022
I’ll be around! See you around!
—Will
— Will Butler (@butlerwills) March 19, 2022