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Clean Bandit are an English electronic music group formed in Cambridge in 2008.[3] They have achieved four number-one singles and six additional top-ten songs on the UK Official Singles Chart.[4] Since 2016, the group have been a trio comprising founding members Grace Chatto and brothers Jack and Luke Patterson.[2] Jack serves as the principal songwriter. The group are known for blending elements of classical music and contemporary dance music, and they routinely collaborate with guest vocalists.[5]
Clean Bandit | |
|---|---|
 Clean Bandit in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Cambridge, England |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | |
| Members |
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| Past members | |
| Website | cleanbandit |
Clean Bandit's debut single, "A+E", was released in 2012; their second, "Mozart's House" (2013), peaked at number 17 on the UK singles chart. In 2014, they attained mainstream success with their single "Rather Be", a collaboration with Jess Glynne. It reached number one on the UK singles chart, topped the national singles charts of six other countries, and peaked at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100.[6] The song's accolades include a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording and two Ivor Novello Awards for Jack Patterson.[7] These three singles were included on the group's debut album New Eyes, released in June 2014, which received a gold certification from the BPI. Clean Bandit's 2016 single "Rockabye", which features Sean Paul and Anne-Marie, became their second number-one song in the UK and that year's UK Christmas number-one single. It peaked at number one in seven other markets and charted at number nine in the United States.[8] In 2017, "Symphony", featuring Zara Larsson, became the group's third UK number-one song; this was followed by their fourth, "Solo", featuring Demi Lovato, in 2018. Their second album, What Is Love?, was released in November 2018 and contains all three singles. As of 2016[update], Clean Bandit had sold over 13 million singles and 1.6 million albums worldwide.[9]
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2008–2012: Formation and career beginnings
Original band members Grace Chatto, Jack Patterson, Luke Patterson and Neil Amin-Smith met while studying as undergraduates at Jesus College, University of Cambridge.[10] At the time, Amin-Smith, who attended Westminster School[11] was leading a string quartet together with Chatto, who attended The Latymer School.[12] The original vocalist, Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka, left to undertake a PhD in laser analytics.[1] In 2011, Chatto and Jack Patterson formed their own film production company, Cleanfilm, to make music videos for themselves and other artists.[10]
The band's name, Clean Bandit, comes from a translation of a Russian phrase; the meaning is similar to the English phrase "complete bastard", though Patterson later stated that it is actually a more affectionate term similar to "utter rascal".[13][14]
2012–2015: New Eyes
In December 2012, Clean Bandit released their debut single "A+E", which peaked at number 100 on the UK Singles Chart. In March 2013, they released their second single "Mozart's House". The song peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart. Their third single "Dust Clears" charted at number 43 in the UK. The band's fourth single "Rather Be" featuring Jess Glynne was released in January 2014 and topped the UK Singles Chart. It was the fastest-selling song released in January since 1996 and ended 2014 as the year's second best-selling song in the UK (behind "Happy" by Pharrell Williams), selling over 1.13 million copies.[15] "Rather Be" also reached number one in Austria, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, whilst charting at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100. In April 2014, the band made their TV debut on BBC's Later... with Jools Holland.[16] The following month, they announced a 14-date headline tour of the UK kicking off in Lancaster Library as part of the Get It Loud In Libraries campaign.[17] The band's debut studio album New Eyes, was released in June 2014 by Atlantic Records UK.[18] In September 2014, they performed with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at MediaCityUK.[19][20] In November, the band collaborated again with Jess Glynne, on their single "Real Love". It reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.[21] The same month, the band performed as part of the charity group Band Aid 30 alongside other British and Irish pop acts, recording the latest version of the track "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to raise money for the 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa.[22]
In February 2015, "Rather Be" won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.[23] The group recorded a 30-piece orchestral version of "Rather Be" at Abbey Road Studios for Marks & Spencer's Christmas 2015 advertising campaign.[24]
2016–2019: What Is Love? and Neil Amin-Smith's departure
In May 2016, the band released the single "Tears" featuring The X Factor 2015 winner Louisa Johnson, which later appeared in their second studio album. The song peaked at number five in the UK, following a performance on Britain's Got Talent.[25]
In October 2016, it was announced that violinist and pianist Neil Amin-Smith had decided to leave Clean Bandit.[26][27] Two days later, the group released their first song as a three-piece without Amin-Smith: "Rockabye", which features rapper Sean Paul and singer Anne-Marie. "Rockabye" became their second number one hit in the UK,[28] and remained at the top spot for nine weeks. It went on to become the Christmas number one single for 2016.[29][30] The song also reached number one in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland. It additionally charted at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100.[31] In March 2017, the trio released "Symphony", a collaboration with Swedish singer Zara Larsson. The song topped the UK Singles Chart, becoming the group's third number one single in the country.[32][33] They gave their first live performance of the song on The Voice UK.[34] "Rockabye" was recorded at The Crypt Studio in London. In June, the band released the studio version of "Disconnect" with Marina Diamandis. The track was previously performed at the 2015 Coachella Festival.
In October 2017, the band announced the single "I Miss You", featuring songwriter Julia Michaels. It charted within the top five of the UK and has been certified platinum. In May 2018, the band released the second album's fifth single, "Solo", featuring vocals from Demi Lovato. It topped the charts in the UK the following month and has received a platinum certification in the country.[35] In November 2018, sixth single "Baby" was released, featuring Marina and Luis Fonsi.[36] Clean Bandit released their second album What Is Love? in November 2018. The album features collaborations with Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding, Craig David, Anne-Marie, and Charli XCX.[37]
2020–present: Leaving Atlantic Records, forthcoming third studio album and new projects
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the band produced a "House Party" event fortnightly in place of the live shows which they would've performed if the pandemic had not happened. Clean Bandit produced six of these house parties in total, from April to July, many featuring vocals from their singer Yasmin Green.[citation needed]
In early August 2020, as their live home music performances gained credit, the band agreed with Global Citizen to host a 12-hour long "Houseparty Against Hunger" on 8 August, to raise money for the charity to help fight poverty-related hunger. The event consisted of one hour-long sets from DJs around the world. Clean Bandit hosted the event and played at the start and end of proceedings, with their set-up the same as that used in their original house parties. Kirsten Joy, one of the band's singers, performed along with Becky Hill, Joel Corry, MNEK and a guest appearance from Sean Paul.[38]
On 17 August, Clean Bandit announced they would be releasing a new single, titled "Tick Tock" with singer Mabel and rapper 24kGoldn.[39] It was released on 21 August 2020.
On 26 January 2021, Clean Bandit announced their new single "Higher" featuring American rapper Iann Dior. The song was released on 29 January 2021.[40]
On 30 July 2021, Clean Bandit released their new single "Drive" with German DJ Topic featuring Wes Nelson.[41]
On 24 September 2021, Clean Bandit released a remix of the famous 1980s hit song How Will I Know in collaboration with Whitney Houston.[42]
On 18 February 2022, Clean Bandit released a new dance/electronic song featuring A7S called "Everything but You".[43]
On 9 September 2022, Clean Bandit released a new single "Sad Girls" with rapper French the Kid featuring Rema.[44]
On 21 October 2022, Clean Bandit released another single, "Don't Leave Me Lonely" in collaboration with the songwriter Elley Duhé.[45]
Between 2022 and 2024, Clean Bandit parted ways with their label Atlantic Records.
On 23 July 2024, Clean Bandit announced their song with English singer-songwriter Anne-Marie and French DJ David Guetta called "Cry Baby". It was released on 9 August 2024 with B1 Records/Ministry of Sound.[46]
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Clean Bandit are an electronic,[47] electropop[48] and dance-pop band.[49] The band mixes electronic music with classical pieces by composers such as Mozart and Shostakovich.[13]
In May 2017, Clean Bandit endorsed the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 UK general election.[50] In June, the band supported a Labour Party rally in Birmingham.[51]
In June 2018, they headlined the Labour Live festival in London.[52]
In November 2019, they endorsed the Labour Party in the 2019 UK general election.[53][54] In December 2019, along with 42 other leading cultural figures, they signed a letter stating that "Labour's election manifesto under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership offers a transformative plan that prioritises the needs of people and the planet over private profit and the vested interests of a few. "[55][56]
They endorsed Rebecca Long-Bailey in the 2020 Labour Party leadership election.[57]
After leaving the band, Neil Amin-Smith joined the Institute for Fiscal Studies and in July 2024 was appointed by Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves to a government council of economic advisors.[58]
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|
Current members
Current touring musicians
|
Former members
- Neil Amin-Smith – violin, piano (2008–2016)
- Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka – vocals (2008–2010)
Former touring musicians
- Braimah Kanneh-Mason – violin (2016–2017)
- Nikki Cislyn – vocals (2012–2013)
- Makeda Moore – vocals (2012–2013)
- Eliza Shaddad – vocals (2012–2013)
- Florence Rawlings – vocals (2013–2016)
- Elisabeth Troy – vocals (2013–2016)
- Christina Hizon - vocals, piano (2013–2016)
- Ezinma – violin (2017)
- David Gane – drums, percussion (2018)[61]
- Molly Fletcher – violin (2018)
Timeline
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- New Eyes (2014)
- What Is Love? (2018)
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 |
Best Dance Video - Budget |
Nominated | ||
Best Pop Video - Budget |
"Telephone Banking" |
Nominated | ||
2014 |
Best Electronic/Dance Act |
"Clean Bandit" |
Won | |
Song of the Year |
Nominated | |||
Best English Language Song |
Nominated | |||
2015 |
British Group |
"Clean Bandit" |
Nominated | |
British Single of the Year |
"Rather Be" |
Nominated | ||
International Work of the Year |
Nominated | |||
| Won | ||||
Most Performed Work |
Won | |||
Best Contemporary Song |
Won | |||
Top Dance/Electronic Artist |
"Clean Bandit" |
Nominated | ||
Top Dance/Electronic Song |
"Rather Be" |
Nominated | ||
Modern Pop/Rock Album of the Year |
Nominated | |||
2017 |
British Single of the Year |
"Rockabye" |
Nominated | |
British Video |
Nominated | |||
Best Song |
Nominated | |||
Best Dance/Electronic Song |
Nominated | |||
Gaygalan Awards |
International Song of the Year |
Nominated | ||
International Song of the Year |
Nominated | |||
International Hit of the Year |
Nominated | |||
International Duo/Group of the Year |
Clean Bandit |
Nominated | ||
2018 |
Best Group |
Nominated | ||
Mass Appeal Award |
Nominated | |||
Best Group |
Nominated | |||
British Single of the Year |
"Symphony" |
Nominated | ||
British Video of the Year |
Eliminated | |||
Gaygalan Awards[64] |
Best International Song of the Year |
Won | ||
Danish GAFFA Awards[65] |
Best International Song of the Year |
Nominated | ||
Sweden GAFFA Awards[66] |
Best Swedish Song of the Year |
Won | ||
Song of the Year |
Nominated | |||
Scandipop Awards[68] |
Best Dance/Pop Song |
Won | ||
Pop Awards[69] |
Song Of The Year Award |
Nominated | ||
Winning EDM Songs |
Won | |||
"Rockabye" |
Won | |||
Winning Hot 100 Songs |
Won | |||
Best Global Track |
Won | |||
Top Dance/Electronic Song |
Nominated | |||
Choice Electronic/Dance Song |
"Solo" |
Nominated | ||
Best World Stage |
Clean Bandit |
Nominated | ||
Best British Group |
Nominated | |||
2019 |
Best Group |
Nominated | ||
Best British Artist or Group |
Nominated | |||
Best Song |
"Solo" |
Nominated | ||
British Single of the Year |
Nominated | |||
British Video of the Year |
Nominated | |||
Swedish GAFFA Awards[74] |
International Song of the Year |
Nominated | ||
| Nominated | ||||
2023 |
Clean Bandit |
Won |
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