Toronto (Canada), September 01 (EFE).- Canadian singer Leslie Feist has resigned from continuing to open for her compatriots Arcade Fire’s tour after several women accused the band’s lead singer, Win Butler, of sexual abuse.

In a message posted on his Instagram account, Feist pointed out that he was in Dublin when the complaints against Butler were made public and that after a few days of reflection he decided to stop participating in the tour, in which he was acting in opening act and move away from Arcade Fire.

“To stay on the tour would symbolize that I was defending or ignoring the damage done by Win Butler and leaving it would imply that I am judge and jury,” explained Feist, who admitted that he could not resolve anything with his decision.

Following Feist’s message, Arcade Fire released a statement in which the band regretted Feist’s departure but added that they “fully” understood and respected his decision.

Since the publication “Pitchfork” published an article over the weekend in which three women accused Butler of sexual abuse, several radio stations in Canada have stopped playing Arcade Fire music.

Butler admitted he had extramarital affairs with the women, but told “Pitchfork” they were consensual.

The sexual abuse allegedly occurred between 2016 and 2020. A fourth person, who identifies as gender fluid, also accused Butler of sexual assault in 2015.

Feist acknowledged that her decision is “imperfect” but she is sure that the best way to take care of her musical group, the staff who depend on her and her family is to “distance herself” from the Arcade Fire tour. but not “conversation”.

Arcade Fire is a rock band from Montreal (Canada) composed of Butler, his wife, Régine Chassagne, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara.

Formed in 2001, Arcade Fire have become one of the most recognized Canadian bands in the world.

They won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2011 and in 2013 they were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Soundtrack for their work on the film “Her”, starring Joaquin Phoenix.