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From Taylor Swift to Maureen Duffy – King's continues to be a hotbed of musical creativity

22 August 2024

Did you know that John Deacon, the bass guitarist of the iconic rock band Queen, studied Electronic Engineering at King’s? His success is part of a broader trend of King’s alumni breaking into the music industry and achieving global acclaim – we detail some of those that have been performing over the summer.

Bloc Part lead singer singing on stage with guitar. — Kele Okereke of Bloc Party performing at Life Is Beautiful Music and Art Festival in Las Vegas, 23 September 2016. Image: Shutterstock

Bloc Party, formed during lead singer Kele Okereke’s time at King’s, celebrated 20 years since their debut with a major show at Crystal Palace Park in July following a return to Glastonbury in June this year. Okereke, who studied English Literature at King’s, started the band during his studies. Their first single and critically acclaimed album, “Silent Alarm”, marked the beginning of their success. Their impact has been recognised through numerous nominations and awards, including nods for Best British Band at the NME Awards, Best Alternative Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards and a Mercury Music Prize nomination for “Silent Alarm”.

I always enjoyed crossing the river in the morning to the Stamford Street site because the view of London from Waterloo Bridge was always breathtaking. Even back then I was very proud of the fact that I was living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.– Kele Okerere talking to King’s alumni magazine, InTouch, in 2017

Band performing on stage in front of audience. — The Last Dinner Party in concert at MElkweg Amsterdamm 19 February 2024. Image: Shutterstock

The Last Dinner Party, an indie rock band formed in 2021 by Abigail Morris, Lizzie Mayland, Emily Roberts, Georgia Davies, and Aurora Nishevci, also has strong ties to King’s. Mayland, Morris, and Davies met during freshers’ week at the university. This year, their debut album, “Prelude to Ecstasy”, was shortlisted for the 2024 Mercury Prize and they won the "Rising Star" award at the BRIT Awards. They performed at Glastonbury in 2024 are now touring the US and Europe, with London performances on October 16, 17, and 19.

Band on stage in front of red lighting. — The Vaccines in concert at Razzmatazz stage in Barcelona, 17 March 2016. Image: Shutterstock

Justin Hayward Young, also known as Jay Jay Pistolet and the frontman of The Vaccines, studied History at King’s (2010). The band released their latest album, “Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations”, in January 2024 and is currently on a European tour, with a London performance scheduled for October 23.

Portrait of Lara Poe in front of a grey background. — Lara Poe. Image: Penthouse Studios

For classical music enthusiasts, King's also boasts a rich tradition. This year, Lara Poe, a PhD student at King’s, was commissioned by the BBC Proms to compose a song cycle for Anu Komsi, Sakari Oramo, and the RCM and Sibelius Academy orchestras. The BBC Proms, the world’s greatest classical music festival, runs from July 19 to September 14 at Royal Albert Hall. Poe’s premiere will be on 25 August, with a subsequent performance on 1 September at the Helsinki Festival.

Taylor Swift singing into a microphone. — Taylor Swift performing at the 2019 Z100 Jingle Ball in New York, 13 December 2019. Image: Shutterstock

Even artists without direct ties to King’s have found the university significant in their careers. Taylor Swift, one of the most influential pop singers today, recently performed in London as part of her sold-out Eras Tour. During her concert on 21 June 2024 in London, she fondly recalled her first UK show at King’s College London in 2008. King’s even boasts a dedicated student society for 'Swifties' - the KCL Taylor Swift Society.

Maureen Duffy in front of a flowering white plant. — Maureen Duffy at King's in 2019. Image: King's College London

Maureen Duffy (English, 1956) and Professor Lawrence Warner have also contributed to King’s musical heritage in a unique way. Duffy’s poem inspired the album “Missa Humana” by Dolly Collins, an English folk musician. Unfortunately, Dolly's untimely death in 1995 meant she never heard her composition performed. Thanks to Professor Warner’s efforts, who interviewed Duffy, “Missa Humana” had its world premiere on 25 February 2023, bringing this long-awaited piece to life.