Along with the news that Arcade Fire will be returning this May with a brand new record, a major change has also been announced within the band.
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Long time member Will Butler, the younger brother of frontman Win Butler, revealed that he has officially left the ranks of Arcade Fire in a series of tweets to his followers on March 19, stating simply that he and the band have "changed—over the last almost 20 years," adding that it is now, "Time for new things."
“I left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete. There was no acute reason," he continues. Fans will be happy to know though that Will is "working on a new record," and "booking some shows this summer," while also having a few other projects "percolating." Will then thanked fans, management, and crew who have supported Arcade Fire throughout his tenure and everyone else who "helped bring our vision to life for so many years. The band are still my friends and family.”
Butler, a father of three who also holds a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard, said he will continue to work closely with 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." He joined Arcade Fire in 2003 when former member Brendan Reed quit while on stage performing. Butler released his latest solo album, Generations, on Merge Records in September of 2020.
Related
Arcade Fire's eagerly anticipated sixth studio album, WE, has officially been confirmed for release on May 6. Listen to the first single, "The Lightning I, II" now as Audacy's Alternative 'Pick Of The Week,' and find out more about the new record HERE.
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