For the music lovers out there, here are 13 famous bands that formed at UK universities

Whether it’s the perfect Spotify playlist to match the study session vibe, or hearing a nostalgic childhood act in the club (Dick and Dom are touring again!), music plays a big part in the uni experience for most of us.

For some bands, though, music wasn’t just part of the uni experience – it was the whole thing.

So whether you’re blasting your SoundCloud mixes at house parties, a Coldplay superfan, or just curious about which famous artists once played at your campus, here are 13 famous bands that formed at UK universities.

1. London Grammar – University of Nottingham

The two founding members of the trio London Grammar met whilst living in the same halls of residence at the University of Nottingham in 2009. In 2014, the university recognised their achievements, celebrating them at the Alumni Laureate Awards. They consider Nottingham their home, often returning there to perform.

2. Snow Patrol – University of Dundee

Snow Patrol was formed by a trio of students from the University of Dundee. They started out playing in Dundee pubs, and several name changes later went on to have huge hits, including Chasing Cars.

3. Suede – University College London (UCL)

Suede’s founding members Brett Anderson and Justine Frischmann met whilst studying at UCL’s Bartlett School of Architecture. The group hit number one in the UK album charts with their self-titled album in 1993, within just two years of their graduation. That year, they also won the Mercury Prize.

4. Everything but the Girl – University of Hull

Famous for their song Missing, pop duo Everything but the Girl met whilst studying at Hull University. The group’s unique name was taken from a sign on Turner’s furniture shop in Hull.

Most Read

I went on a night out with Bonnie Blue – it was uncomfortable and she’s dead behind the eyes

Lily Phillips shares utterly disgusting ‘before and after’ video and now I’m traumatised

A dark TikTok D4vd reposted has resurfaced and the creator who made it has spoken out

5. Travis – Glasgow School of Art

Frontman Fran Healy and lead guitarist Andy Dunlop formed Travis alongside friends whilst studying at the Glasgow School of Art. That was in the early 90s, and almost 10 years later, the group achieved international fame with the breakout single Why Does It Always Rain on Me.

6. CHVRCHES – University of Strathclyde

Iain Cook and Martin Doherty, of pop-synth trio CHVRCHES, met in 2003 whilst studying at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Lead singer Lauren Mayberry also graduated from the university with a degree in law in 2010. The band’s official debut performance took place at the nearby Glasgow School of Art in July 2012 after their song Lies gained popularity through BBC Radio 1.

7. Clean Bandit – University of Cambridge (Jesus College)

The founding members of Clean Bandit (known for bops including Rather Be & Rockabye) met whilst studying for their undergraduate degrees at Jesus College, Cambridge. They started off as a string quartet before developing the electro/pop style they’re famous for today.

8. The Chemical Brothers – University of Manchester

The Chemical Brothers via YouTube

Electronic music duo The Chemical Brothers bonded over their love of clubbing and raves in the iconic music scene of 1990s Manchester. Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons both graduated with degrees in history in 1992. After graduating, they moved to London to DJ, ultimately forming the group.

9. Blur – Goldsmiths, University of London

Blur on Top of the Pops in 1985 via YouTube

The band Seymour formed at Goldsmiths, University of London, after Alex James made friends with future bandmate Graham Coxon on their first day studying French. They performed under the name Seymour for a year before switching to Blur.

Goldsmiths continues to shape pop culture, with recent alumni including A.G. Cook (producer on Charli XCX’s Brat) and Lights On singer Katy B.

10. Soft Cell – Leeds Polytechnic

Known for the hit Tainted Love, pop duo Soft Cell studied at Leeds Polytechnic (now known as Leeds Beckett University). The pair decided to form the group a year after meeting in the art department.

11. Pink Floyd – London Polytechnic (University of Westminster)

Pink Floyd performing in 1971 via YouTube

Three of Pink Floyd’s founding members met whilst studying architecture at London Polytechnic, now known as the University of Westminster. Before forming Pink Floyd, Roger Walters, Nick Mason and Richard Wright played in the basement of the university alongside friends as the sextet Sigma 6.

12. Coldplay – UCL

Would this list be complete without Coldplay? The band famously met whilst studying at UCL. Chris Martin received a first class degree in Greek and Latin, with the other members of the band studying subjects from anthropology to astronomy. The group lived in the same halls of residence, with Chris bonding with guitarist Jonny Buckland during their orientation week.

13. Queen – Imperial College London

Queen performing at Live Aid in 1985 via YouTube

Astrophysicist Brian May and dental student Roger Taylor were founding members of the band Smile, which was later renamed Queen after Freddie Mercury joined in 1970.

In 2006, Brian returned to Imperial for PhD study, with his thesis “Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud” exploring dust in the solar system. He was the chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 2007 to 2013, meaning those who graduated from the uni during this time got to shake his hand as they walked the stage at their graduation ceremonies.

In 2013, Queen was honoured with a music heritage award at the Imperial College London union building, the location of the band’s first gig in July 1970.

For more like this, like The Tab on Instagram

Featured image via YouTube and @coldplay/@cleanbandit on Instagram