Bastille fans, it’s time to get excited – Dan Smith has just dropped ‘&’ Part Two, a two-track teaser ahead of his highly anticipated new album ‘&’ (Ampersand), set to release on the 25th of October. Featuring the fresh singles Blue Sky & The Painter and Leonard & Marianne, this latest release continues Dan’s dive into storytelling through music, blending historical figures, mythology, and pop culture in the most Bastille way.
The first single, Blue Sky & The Painter, is inspired by Edvard Munch – yes, the bloke behind The Scream. This song examines the inspiration behind Munch’s art, specifically his battle with depression. Dan performed a stripped-back version of the song in the middle of the Sargasso Sea with Greenpeace – because raising awareness for ocean conservation while creating music is exactly the kind of energy we need in 2024. More of this, please!
In contrast, Leonard & Marianne is a beautifully haunting love song inspired by Leonard Cohen’s complicated relationship with Marianne Ihlen.
And if you want to dive even deeper, Smith is launching a new podcast, MUSES: An Ampersand Podcast, on the 18th of September. He’ll be teaming up with Emma Nagouse (BBC’s You’re Dead to Me) to explore the lives of the artists, poets, and trailblazers featured on the album. It’s history, music, and storytelling all rolled into one – an absolute treat for anyone as obsessed with Dan’s creative process as we are.
Bastille will be hitting the road for ‘&’ Live later this year. Tickets go on pre-sale on the 18th of September, with general sales kicking off on the 20th. Get yours here.
Full ‘&’ Live Tour Dates:
- 10th November – La Cigale, Paris
- The 11th of November – Cirque Royal, Belgium
- The 13th of November – Royal Theatre Carré, Amsterdam
- 14th November – Theatre Des Westens, Berlin
- The 17th of November – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
- The 23rd of November – United Theatre, Los Angeles
- The 25th of November – Town Hall, New York
Stay unruly.
