Glass Animals

Glass Animals: From Oxford to Global Stardom

Glass Animals, the indie rock quartet hailing from Oxford, England, burst onto the scene in 2010. The band's lineup boasts Dave Bayley (vocals, guitar, keys, drums, songwriting), Drew MacFarlane (guitar, keys, backing vocals), Edmund Irwin-Singer (bass, keys, backing vocals), and Joe Seaward (drums).

Their debut album, "Zaba" (2014), propelled them into the spotlight with the platinum-selling single "Gooey." This success paved the way for their sophomore album, "How to Be a Human Being," which garnered critical acclaim and won them coveted awards: UK Album of the Year and Self Producing Artist of the Year at the 2018 MPG Awards. They also received a prestigious Mercury Prize nomination for this album.

Their third album, "Dreamland," reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and number seven on the US Billboard 200. This solidified their position as a major force in the music scene.

However, it was their hit single "Heat Waves" that catapulted them to global fame. The track went viral on TikTok, topping the charts in Australia and being crowned number one on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020. It has since surpassed two billion streams on Spotify and achieved the pinnacle of success, reaching number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the UK Singles Chart.

The band's critical acclaim continued with two Brit Award nominations in 2022: Best British Alternative/Rock Act and "Heat Waves" for Best British Single. They also received their first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammy Awards.

Early Days: 2010-2015

The four band members, all graduates of St Edward's School in Oxford, forged their musical bond during their formative years. This shared history serves as the foundation for their unique blend of indie rock, electronic, and psychedelic sounds.