Will Butler has announced his departure from Arcade Fire.
Butler, a core member of the veteran indie rock band, shared the news ahead of the band’s show at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on Saturday.
“I left at the end of last year, after the new record was complete,” Butler wrote on Twitter. “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.”
Butler added that he was working on a new solo record and composing music for a play by David Adjmi.
He also assured fans that Arcade Fire was “still my friends and family,” and thanked “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 was a member of Arcade Fire since 2003 and appeared on every one of the band’s studio albums to date.
Arcade Fire’s frontman and Will’s brother, Win, did not address his departure during Saturday’s show. Wolf Parade’s Dan Boeckner has filled in for Will at the band’s recent gigs.
The band’s final album with Will, WE, is set for release on May 6th.
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’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
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