Yesterday, the nominations for the 2023 JUNO Awards were announced — and many were upset to see Arcade Fire garner a Group of the Year nod, considering the accusations of sexual misconduct made against bandleader Win Butler by multiple people last year. In a statement to CBC, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences defended the nomination, saying they were "honouring the rest of the band for their success."
"We look at Arcade Fire's nomination for group of the year as one for the entire band," the Academy said when CBC reached out for comment. "While we take the allegations very seriously, in this situation, we are also honouring the rest of the band for their success. We hope the allegations against Butler will not detract from the achievements of the other group members."
JUNO nomination begins with a submission for consideration, likely from the band's record label. According to the awards' website, nominees were then determined by "50 percent consumption, 25 percent academy delegate vote, 12.5 percent social data and 12.5 percent radio audience." In a final round of votes, academy delegates will then decide the winner for the category, which sees Arcade Fire up against Arkells, Billy Talent, Metric and the Reklaws.
It's worth noting that Arcade Fire are also nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album at the upcoming 2023 Grammys for their latest LP, WE. After the news of Butler's allegations was originally reported by Pitchfork in August 2022, the band continued on with their tour, though they lost some supporting acts — Feist released a statement before departing the European leg, while Beck quietly dropped off the North American dates.
"We look at Arcade Fire's nomination for group of the year as one for the entire band," the Academy said when CBC reached out for comment. "While we take the allegations very seriously, in this situation, we are also honouring the rest of the band for their success. We hope the allegations against Butler will not detract from the achievements of the other group members."
JUNO nomination begins with a submission for consideration, likely from the band's record label. According to the awards' website, nominees were then determined by "50 percent consumption, 25 percent academy delegate vote, 12.5 percent social data and 12.5 percent radio audience." In a final round of votes, academy delegates will then decide the winner for the category, which sees Arcade Fire up against Arkells, Billy Talent, Metric and the Reklaws.
It's worth noting that Arcade Fire are also nominated for the Best Alternative Music Album at the upcoming 2023 Grammys for their latest LP, WE. After the news of Butler's allegations was originally reported by Pitchfork in August 2022, the band continued on with their tour, though they lost some supporting acts — Feist released a statement before departing the European leg, while Beck quietly dropped off the North American dates.
