A husband and wife who are also bandmates in a popular rock band are separating after 22 years of marriage.
Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler and multi-instrumentalist Régine Chassagne announced Thursday that they are ending their romantic relationship. The decision comes months after the Canadian group released a comeback album and went on a small tour in the spring.
“After a long and loving marriage, Win & Régine have decided to separate,” the band said in a statement. “They continue to love, admire and support each other as they co-parent their son.”
Arcade Fire said the band would continue despite the former couple’s split, suggesting Butler and Chassagne will both stay in the group.
“Their work in Haiti with KANPE continues and their bond as creative soulmates will endure, as will Arcade Fire,” the statement said. “The band send their love and look forward to seeing you all on tour soon.”
Butler and Chassagne reportedly met in college while attending McGill University in Montreal in 2001. They soon started performing together in Arcade Fire, got married in 2003, and shared lead vocals on the band’s 2004 debut album, “Funeral.” They’ve also done humanitarian work in Haiti, where Chassagne’s parents fled during the dictatorship of François Duvalier; Chassagne co-founded KANPE with Dominique Anglade in 2010.
Arcade Fire has released seven albums, featuring indie rock songs like “Wake Up,” “Reflektor,” “Keep the Car Running,” and “Everything Now.” They won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2011 with “The Suburbs” and were also nominated for an Oscar with the score for the Spike Jonze film “Her.”
Butler was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple people in 2022, including claims of sexual assault. Entertainment Weekly reports Butler admitted he had extramarital affairs and said that his wife was “aware” of them, but he denied misconduct.
“While these relationships were all consensual, I am very sorry to anyone who I have hurt with my behavior,” he said at the time. “I’m sorry for the pain I caused — I’m sorry I wasn’t more aware and tuned in to the effect I have on people — I f—ed up, and while not an excuse, I will continue to look forward and heal what can be healed, and learn from past experiences. I can do better and I will do better.”
Feist dropped out of opening for Arcade Fire’s tour shortly afterwards, though Chassagne continued to publicly support Butler.
“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,” she wrote in 2022. “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.”
Arcade Fire has no upcoming tour dates. No additional details of the couple’s breakup have been disclosed.
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