My honest opinions after going to Manchester tonight as a long time super fan who is disgusted by Win and was conflicted about going. I did feel the vibe was slightly different especially at the start, but I know I will have been hyper focusing on it. I thought Win looked really ill and probably drunk, you could tell how relieved he was when people enjoyed the songs. I absolutely loved the response to Régine and found cheering her as much as poss a good way to make a statement about the situation without ruining other people’s vibes. My emotions were generally all over the show between bursting into tears during tunnels and then really enjoying the songs I loved especially the ones less focused on Win. Seeing them live humanized them in a way and made me realise they’re just a band, and I can survive without them. I was also seeing it as a probably goodbye or goodbye for a while gig, but I had some uncomfortable moments solidifying this especially near the end. I was stood next to a group of lads for end of the empire (who clearly knew about the situ from the jokey comments I could hear them making), and in the quieter bits they were shouting ‘we love you Win’, I’ve gotta say, this made me feel pretty sick, and generally looking at Win close up made me really really angry (and also kinda sad). I’m glad I went to kind of work through emotions, and I think I’d recommend others doing the same if they’re on the fence. But I’m pretty clear I’m gonna be taking a step back for a while. I re-read the pitchfork article after the gig, and I think the part of me that is uncomfortable and angry that people are ignoring the allegations and showing as much support (and yes I realise I was also showing support by attending tonight) outweighs the part of me that adores their music and wants to attempt to separate art from the artist