Bombay Bicycle Club put a laid-back, piano-driven spin on Taylor Swift‘s anthemic hit “Cruel Summer” for BBC Radio 1. The British pop-rock group stripped away the thumping beats and polished production crafted by Jack Antonoff for a more organic, genre-spanning sound.
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Frontman Jack Steadman takes the reins on the performance, which offers a surprising sonic twist on Swift’s beloved track. Although “Cruel Summer” was first released as a track from her 2019 record Lover, the song was released to radio earlier this year due to an overwhelming response from fans. The launch of Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour and Eras Tour concert film, along with viral success on social media platforms like TikTok, helped elevate the song to unexpected hit status.
[RELATED: The Meaning Behind Taylor Swift’s Four-Year Late No. 1 Hit “Cruel Summer”]
The band’s appearance on BBC Radio 1’s Piano Sessions series follows the release of their new studio album, My Big Day. The record dropped on October 20 and marked their first full-length LP since Everything Else Has Gone Wrong arrived in 2020. My Big Day is an impressive and eclectic mix of tracks that features guest appearances from Chaka Khan, Damon Albarn, Jay Som, Nilüfer Yanya, and Holly Humberstone.
Last week, Bombay Bicycle Club unveiled an extensive headlining North American tour dates for 2024. The performances will begin on March 4 in Nashville and continue across the U.S. and Mexico through the end of May.
The group is in the midst of a lengthy European tour, which will wrap up with two performances in Amsterdam on November 27 and 28. You can find more information on all upcoming live dates by visiting the band’s official website.
Watch Bombay Bicycle Club cover Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” for BBC’s Radio 1 Piano Sessions below:
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