Bastille ( stylised as BΔSTILLE ) is an English band formed in 2010 . The group began as a solo project by lead vocalist Dan Smith , but later expanded to include keyboardist Kyle Simmons , bassist and guitarist Will Farquarson and drummer Chris " Woody " Wood . The name of the band derives from Bastille Day , which is celebrated on 14 July , the date of Smith 's birthday . Smith has said that the band was initially going to be called Daniel in the Den before they settled on Bastille . The name was later used for the 10th track on their album Bad Blood instead . After an independently released debut single and a self-released EP , the band signed to Virgin Records . Their first studio album , '' Bad Blood '' , was released in March 2013 and entered the UK Albums Chart at number one and included the hit single " Pompeii " which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart . The band was nominated for four Brit Awards at the 2014 ceremony , winning the British Breakthrough Act . As of February 2019 , Bastille have sold over nine million records worldwide
2014 ceremony
2014 Brit Awards
Bastille (band)