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August 30, 2022 8:23 pm  #1


Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

Well, that didn't take long. And just like that, Arcade Fire has been extinguished. 

Radio stations pull Arcade Fire as Win Butler faces sexual misconduct allegations

 

September 1, 2022 11:20 am  #2


Re: Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

Alex Pierson did several segments on this story on her show Thursday and it was pretty interesting. She began by deliberately playing several Arcade Fire tunes as bumper in music, before explaining why. 

Her point - and I had also thought of this - is that the accusations against Win Butler are serious but have not been proven in any way in court. And she lamented that some stations have pulled their music and some fans have demanded they cancel their concerts as part of a backlash against the lead singer's purported actions. 

I found this issue extremely fascinating. Is it OK to effectively "cancel" an entire band's existence over an unproven allegation? Or should it at least go through the courts first? But won't radio stations that keep the group on the playlist be greeted with outrage from at least some listeners, and is it worth taking the hit for it? 

Here's what was even more interesting to me - a caller brought up Michael Jackson, noting that despite endless accusations of pedophilia, his music is still played everywhere. Should his stuff be pulled as well, even though he's long dead and never had the suspicions tested in court? 

And then there's this - if you do pull Michael Jackson's music, what do you do about the Jackson Five, when he was just a little kid and wasn't involved in anything? Do those records stay but the later ones go? 

All in all, a controversial but really absorbing segment about whether it's censorship, good judgment or simply some stations CYA-ing themselves until this latest group under (Arcade) fire is finally resolved. 

     Thread Starter
 

September 1, 2022 11:54 am  #3


Re: Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

RadioActive wrote:

Is it OK to effectively "cancel" an entire band's existence over an unproven allegation? Or should it at least go through the courts first?

It should go through the courts first - innocent until proven guilty. Have the accusers state their allegations under oath and with their names on the record. And until the allegations have been proven and the accused found guilty, keep the band's music out there. If any listeners or advertisers are offended/outraged/etc. by continued airplay, that's their own fault. Radio continues to play Chris Brown material despite that Rihanna situation in the late 2000s, and as RA mentioned, MJ with all those pedo allegations, and we don't hear anybody whining and moaning (or pulling ad buys) over those artists' airplay, so why are bands like Arcade Fire and Hedley getting the full-on "cancel culture" treatment, especially in the case of anonymous, unproven allegations?

 

September 1, 2022 1:42 pm  #4


Re: Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

To be fair, the guy from Hedley was convicted of some of the charges against him. If that's the case, it changes the scenario.

     Thread Starter
 

September 1, 2022 2:01 pm  #5


Re: Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

RadioActive wrote:

To be fair, the guy from Hedley was convicted of some of the charges against him. If that's the case, it changes the scenario.

True, forgot about that.

 

September 1, 2022 3:51 pm  #6


Re: Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

RadioActive wrote:

Is it OK to effectively "cancel" an entire band's existence over an unproven allegation? Or should it at least go through the courts first?

OK or not, it happens.

 

September 1, 2022 5:41 pm  #7


Re: Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

     Thread Starter
 

September 1, 2022 11:59 pm  #8


Re: Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

Forward Power wrote:

RadioActive wrote:

Is it OK to effectively "cancel" an entire band's existence over an unproven allegation? Or should it at least go through the courts first?

It should go through the courts first - innocent until proven guilty. Have the accusers state their allegations under oath and with their names on the record. And until the allegations have been proven and the accused found guilty, keep the band's music out there. If any listeners or advertisers are offended/outraged/etc. by continued airplay, that's their own fault.

Following the guidelines you laid out, Jian Ghomeshi should still be hosting Q on CBC Radio.  No thanks.

 

September 2, 2022 4:45 am  #9


Re: Radio Stns. Pull Arcade Fire From Playlists In Wake Of Allegations

Tomas Barlow wrote:

Following the guidelines you laid out, Jian Ghomeshi should still be hosting Q on CBC Radio.  No thanks.

Ok, fine. I take it back. Sorry.