One of the biggest names in electronic music, Clean Bandit are returning to Australia this January for their debut, Australian headline shows.
Last on our shores for Stereosonic in 2015, the classically trained British string group are bringing their high-energy and fun, live shows to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Originally a quartet, Clean Bandit return to Australia as a trio comprised of Grace Chatto (cello, percussion and vocals) and brothers Jack (bass, keyboard, vocals, piano and violin) and Luke Patterson (drums and percussion).
“It was definitely a sad time for us when Neil had to leave,” Luke says, discussing Neil Amin-Smith’s 2016 departure, “but it was something that we’d kind of seen coming.
“We knew something was up and when he told us that it was it for him, it just made sense. Although it was a shift, as sad it is to say, I think it was better for everyone. Everyone was able to move forward at their own pace.”
Touring virtually non-stop since the release of their 2016 single 'Tears (feat. Louisa Johnson)', Clean Bandit have been dominating music charts worldwide with their diverse blend of electronica, dancehall, classical, R&B and pop.
With four top 20 hits in Australia, and their biggest track to date, 2016’s ‘Rockabye (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie)’ spending six consecutive weeks at number one on the ARIA Singles Chart, the band are looking forward to bringing their live show down under.
“It’s crazy to think that ‘Rockabye’ could reach halfway across the world and mean something to that many people.
“We’re really excited to come over and play it for real, and we can’t wait to see what you think of the new show.”
The show’s playlist will feature all of Clean Bandit’s baroque pop hits as well as songs from their yet to be released sophomore album. “It’s pretty much all the bangers I would say,” Luke says.
“Actually no, that’s not true, there’s a couple of slower tunes. We play our song ‘Birch’ which is a bit slower and a bit more moody, but it’s mostly dance smash-hits for the bulk of it.”
Questioned on his favourite track to perform live, Luke picked 2014’s ‘Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne)’, which won the group a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording and two Ivor Novello awards. “‘Rather Be’ has got a new lease of life at the moment because we’ve kind of mixed it up a bit.
“We do a double-key change at the end of the song, so it just goes up and up and up, and it makes it go off 110 per cent. It becomes really climactic.”
While Clean Bandit thrilled UK fans with not one, but three surprise guests at London’s Summertime Ball 2017, the likelihood of any of their feature artists joining them on stage in Australia is unfortunately slim.
“It is a logistical nightmare to make anything like that happen … so I’m not sure if you can expect any artist people to come and join us.
"But we’ll have our amazing singers that we tour with for the live show, Kirsten Joy and Yasmine Green, and we should have a full band as well. We have a live bass player and some extra string players who will be there in full force.”
Clean Bandit’s highly anticipated second studio album, originally touted for release in 2017, isn’t likely to drop until mid-2018.
“We keep saying definitely this year [2017], but because we make our music videos and we’re quite protective of that, we’re always trying our best to make sure that everything’s right and not release anything too prematurely.
"I guess that’s why it just keeps getting pushed back, but for sure, 100 per cent next year. Hopefully by our summer.”
Clean Bandit Tour Dates
Thu 25 Jan – Eatons Hill Hotel (Brisbane)Fri 26 Jan – Metro Theatre (Sydney)
Sat 27 Jan – Trak Lounge Bar (Melbourne)
