Is the announcement of Win Butler and Regine Chassagne's split the final nail in Arcade Fire's coffin? Even if both musicians claim that their group will continue to operate, few fans and observers believe it. In the history of music, few bands led by a couple have managed to survive the split of two musicians.
• Also read: Regine Chassagne and Win Butler, the couple from the band Arcade Fire, have split up.
“It took them three years to admit that the Win scandal ruined the band. What a shame. It's a hard pill to swallow. […] I'm surprised it took so long. Regine deserves better.”
The posts from these two internet users from the Reddit community seem to have been shared by several fans of the band since yesterday.
“We felt a lot of tension”
Arcade Fire is now three years into a scandal involving lead singer Win Butler, who was accused of sexual misconduct. After touring the world to sometimes empty arenas, the band released a new album in May. Pink elephantvery poorly received.
“For me, Arcade Fire has been a slow death throes for about ten years now,” notes musicology professor and director of UQAM’s music department Danique Trottier. The fact that they (Vin and Regine) announced their separation was predictable because we felt a lot of tension. It’s like a logical consequence of what’s happening.”
“Their last major album, which had some success, was Reflectorin 2013 he continues. Since then three albums have been released(Everything is now, We, Pink elephant) that didn't capture the imagination.”
What are Arcade Fire's chances of surviving another trap? According to Danica Trottier, if the band wants to return to success, “they will have to make huge changes and release a completely different album.”
Fleetwood Mac
There are other bands in the history of rock that did or did not survive the breakup of their founders. The two couples who formed Fleetwood Mac (Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, Christina and John McVie) split in the 1970s after achieving complete success. Despite the tension, they recorded Rumors in 1977, inspired by their breakup.
Jack and Meg White were married for several years and divorced in 2000. They continued to work with The White Stripes and achieved worldwide success with the album three years later. Elephant.
On the other hand, other groups such as Sonic Youth, The Mamas & The Papas and Ike & Tina Turner broke up after the couple's separation.
Finding a common language
Considering that Win Butler and Régine Chassagne aren't really pursuing solo careers, “they're very interested in finding common ground around Arcade Fire, even if the momentum is gone,” Danique Trottier mentions.
Knowing that Stevie Nicks eventually left Fleetwood Mac to pursue a glittering solo career, could Régine Chassagne do the same? “I think so,” Danique Trottier replies. She is very popular on social media and is much loved by the audience. From the very beginning of Arcade Fire, he was always the kind of star that grabbed people's attention.”
