Clean Bandit are a British electronic music band, formed in Cambridge in 2008. The band consists of members Grace Chatto, and brothers Jack and Luke Patterson.^[3] Many of their projects are known for blending elements of both classical and dance music, and featuring guest vocalists. Notable collaborators include MARINA, Demi Lovato, Jess Glynne, Anne Marie, Sean Paul, Zara Larsson, Julia Michaels, Luis Fonsi and Ellie Goulding.

The band released their debut single "A+E" in 2012, followed by their 2013 single "Mozart's House", the latter of which reached number 17 on the UK Singles Chart. In January 2014, they scored their first UK chart topping single with "Rather Be", a collaboration with Jess Glynne. The song also reached number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[4] In 2015, the song won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.^[5] The band's debut album New Eyes was released in June 2014 and has received a gold certification from the BPI. Their 2016 single "Rockabye", which features Jamaican artist Sean Paul and singer Anne-Marie, became their second number one hit in the UK and the Christmas number one single for 2016. The song became an international chart topper for the band, additionally charting at number nine in the US.^[6] "Symphony" featuring Zara Larsson became their third UK number one single in 2017. Their second album, What Is Love?, was released in November 2018. As of 2016, Clean Bandit have sold over 13 million singles and 1.6 million albums worldwide.^[7]

Band members Grace Chatto, Jack Patterson, Luke Patterson and Neil Amin-Smith met while studying as undergraduates at Jesus College, University of Cambridge.^[8] At the time, Amin-Smith, who attended Westminster School^[9] was leading a string quartet together with Chatto, who attended The Latymer School.^[10] 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.^[8]

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".^[11][12]

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 on 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.^[13] "Rather Be" also reached number one in Austria, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, whilst charting at number ten on the US Billboard Hot 100Hot 100]]. In April 2014, the band made their TV debut on BBC's Later... with Jools Holland^[14] owing month, they announced a 14-date headline tour of the UK.^[15] The band's debut studio album New Eyes, was released in June 2014 by Atlantic Records UK.^[16] In September 2014, they performed with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra at MediaCityUK.^[17][18] In November, the band collaborated again with Jess Glynne, on their single "Real Love". It reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.^[19] 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.^[20]

In February 2015, "Rather Be" won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.^[21] The group recorded a 30-piece orchestral version of "Rather Be" at Abbey Road Studios for Marks & Spencer's Christmas 2015 advertising campaign.^[22]

In May 2016, the band released the lead single "Tears" from their second studio album, featuring The X Factor 2015 winner Louisa Johnson. The song peaked at number five in the UK, following a performance on Britain's Got Talent.^[23]

In October 2016, it was announced that violinist and pianist Neil Amin-Smith had decided to leave Clean Bandit.^[24][25] Two days later, the group released their first song without Amin-Smith: "Rockabye", which features rapper Sean Paul and singer Anne-Marie. "Rockabye" became their second number one hit in the UK,^[26] and remained at the top spot for nine weeks. It went on to become the Christmas number one single for 2016.^[27][28] 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.^[29] 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.^[30][31] They gave their first live performance of the song on The Voice UK.^[32] In June, the band released the studio version of "Disconnect" with Marina and the Diamonds. The track was previously performed at the 2015 Coachella Festival.

In October 2017, the band announced the single "I Miss You", featuring renowned 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.^[33] In November 2018, sixth single "Baby" was released, featuring Marina and the Diamonds and Luis Fonsi.^[34] 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.^[35]

Clean Bandit are an electronic,^[36] classical crossover,^[37] electropop^[38] and dance-pop band.^[39] The band mixes electronic music with classical pieces by composers such as Mozart and Shostakovich.^[11] Some of their music also involves tongue-in-cheek humour.^[11]

In May 2017, Clean Bandit endorsed the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn in the 2017 UK general election.^[40] In June, the band supported a Labour Party rally in Birmingham.^[41] In June 2018, they headlined the Labour Live festival in London.

Former members

Former Touring Members