Arcade Fire's Will Butler creates a new kind of after-party

When a band rolls into town, many hold after-parties following their show, which are often notorious for various degrees of debauchery. But Arcade Fire's Will Butler saw his band's after-parties as an opportunity for social change. 

Butler's Disco Town Halls bring together activists, politicians and fans to discuss important issues such as prison reform and health in Haiti. 

"We're all going to be awake till midnight anyway after the show," Butler tells Tapestry guest host Laurel Sprengelmeyer. "So we might as well hang out together and talk about it and try to figure out what's happening."

In September 2017, for instance, Butler hosted a Disco Town Hall in New York City about closing Rikers Island prison, which New York magazine describes as a place where inmates, especially the mentally-ill, are routinely mistreated. 

Brad Lander, a local city councillor, and Melody Lee of the Katal Center, which advocates for criminal justice reform, were both in attendance. 

The night also featured performances from Arcade Fire violinist Sarah Neufeld, drummer Jeremy Gara and Butler himself. 

"My goal was always to try to get a local politician who is really trying to make things better and a local activist ... and  people who are just music fans but maybe want to do something more," says Butler. 

A powerful night in Tampa

One of the more memorable Disco Town Halls took place in Tampa, Fla., where the focus was restoring voting rights for former felons. 

In Florida, former felons are ineligible to vote until five years after finishing their sentence. 

If I'm going to work to save my son's life, then I am also called to save everyone's sons and daughters life.- Will Butler

Butler describes it as an emotional evening.

"It was fun and exciting and then really deep and powerful," says Butler. "People were dancing and crying."

Arcade Fire's activism goes back to the band's formation. In 2004, they played two shows in Haiti, where  proceeds went to a local hospital.  

Proceeds from Butler's parties went to the Partners in Health humanitarian organization, which the group has worked with since 2005. 

Motivations for change

Butler's personal motivation for these events originated with his master's degree in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. 

Butler also credits becoming a father as an incentive to advocate for issues he believes in. 

"If I'm going to work to save my son's life, then I am also called to save everyone's sons and daughters life," Butler says. 

But in many ways, the reason why Butler created these thought-provoking after-parties is much simpler.

After a concert, Butler says, "I either just sit alone and eat a bag of Doritos or I could go and meet people in the city and be inspired by people who are doing something."

Click LISTEN above to hear Will Butler's 'Barnacle Theory of Life."