Bastille

Bastille are a British indie pop band from London, active since 2010. The group begins as a solo project for singer-songwriter Dan Smith before developing into a full band. Its core line-up includes Dan Smith, Chris “Woody” Wood, Will Farquarson and Kyle Simmons.

Style and formation

The band is associated with electropop, indie pop, pop rock, rock and synth-pop, and is also described as an indie rock act. The name comes from Bastille Day, the day Smith is born. Bastille is based in South London and remains active.

Early releases and breakthrough

Bastille debut in June 2011 with the 7-inch single “Flaws”/“Icarus” on Young & Lost Club. Later in 2011 they release the EP Laura Palmer. After sharing more tracks online, they gain attention from indie rock listeners on the web and secure support slots. Their early festival appearances include Glastonbury, Isle of Wight and Blissfields in summer 2011.

Their first Virgin Records single, “Overjoyed”, comes out in 2012, followed by “Bad Blood” on Virgin Records later that year. They are named “The New Band of the Day” by The Guardian in July 2012. In August 2012 they play Reading and Leeds, and later that year they tour the UK with a headline run alongside Emeli Sandé, with Swiss Lips as support.

Soundtracks, covers and later work

Several Bastille tracks appear in film and television soundtracks. “Flaws”/“Icarus” is used in Made in Chelsea, “Weight of Living, Pt. II” appears on the FIFA 13 soundtrack, “Of the Night” is used in promotion for Dancing on Ice, and “Oblivion” features in The Vampire Diaries.

The band also releases a series of mixtape-style EPs titled Other People’s Heartache. Pt. 1 appears in 2012 and includes covers such as Lana Del Rey’s “Blue Jeans” and Corona’s “The Rhythm of the Night”. Pt. 2 includes versions of songs by Calvin Harris, TLC and Fleetwood Mac. VS: Other People’s Heartache Pt. 3 includes collaborations with Skunk Anansie, Rag’n’Bone Man and MNEK. Other People’s Heartache Pt. 4 appears in 2018 and includes a cover of Yusuf/Cat Stevens’ “Wild World” and the collaboration “Grip” with Seeb. Pt. 5 appears in 2022 and includes “Run Into Trouble” and a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark”.

Albums

Bastille release Give Me the Future in 2022. They are also an internationally known British indie pop band with a catalogue that includes their early singles, EPs and soundtrack placements.