Well-liked dance group from the 1990s Faithless have confirmed that they will perform live at London’s Roundhouse for the first time in eight years.
The reunion follows the passing of long-time frontman Maxi Jazz last year and the band honored this loss in their announcement.
Faithless had already hinted at a comeback with new music and some tour dates but the special show at the Roundhouse marks the beginning of a new chapter for the band.
They wrote: ‘As many of you have noticed, we’re back…Some shows have already been announced but we couldn’t start the summer without a little personal note.
‘Maxi died just over a year ago and obviously we miss him every day. Thank you all for all of your kind words of support over this last year. It has really, really meant a lot.’
The dance pair, who started in 1995, currently consist of founding members Sister Bliss and Rollo.
They reported the passing of their bandmate in December 2022, referring to him as a ‘beautiful person’ and a ‘genius’.
Faithless’ comeback concert will be at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels on June 6, 2024 with a series of three European shows before heading to the Roundhouse on June 14.
Pre-sale sign up for tickets has already begun and general sale starts on April 29 for any Faithless fans hoping to see the Insomnia hitmakers perform live.
‘In the meantime, we never stopped (couldn’t stop, never wanted to stop!) making music,’ the announcement added.
‘Even during Maxi’s long illness we recorded and released All Blessed and now finally, 8 years after our last live performance, we are returning to festival stages across the summer and are planning some of our own shows later this year…’
Faithless became very successful almost immediately, with their single Insomnia becoming a huge club and chart hit in 1995 – the song was re-released in 2005 and remained in the UK chart for 20 years.
They became icons of the UK club scene and Maxi’s death at the age of 65 was grieved across the industry.
Months ago they assured a comeback in a statement published to their Facebook page.
They wrote: ‘We are back… Maxi just passed away and obviously we miss him every day… In the meantime, we never stopped making music.
‘We are returning to festival stages over the summer. We are very nervous but also very excited. We know the show has to be something special.
‘[It’s] a celebration of our past, of our musical loves, of the man himself and, of course, our musical future,’ they added, paying tribute to Maxi, who led the band between 1995 and 2012 and then again from 2016.
They then hinted at new music, assuring fans that they are back in the studio, presumably working on their first album since 2020 when they released All Blessed amid the Covid pandemic.
‘We will also be releasing new music. We are, in fact, in the studio as we write this. See you all very soon. Much love Rollo and Bliss,’ they said.
There is no official release date for another album yet, but Rollo and Sister Bliss said that an album could be ready in the next 12 months.
In the comments, fans eagerly sent their best wishes to the surviving members of the group. Elinor said, “Maxi is always there with you in spirit. You will be as always incredible. Sending love and light.”
Teet commented, “That is so nice to hear. God bless Faithless, soundtrack of my life. Have seen a situation, where random guys hanging near my car at carpark and Faithless was playing on my speakers. Guys automatically started to casually dance, even without notice that itself.”
Maxi, whose real name was Maxwell Fraser, was laid to rest in south London in January 2023 – the funeral ceremony was private at the request of his close friends and family.
Although fans weren’t able to attend the event, the band thanked everyone for their support: ‘We would also like to say a huge thank you all for all the beautiful messages, amazing art and love for Maxi that you have shared. They are hugely appreciated. Upon each other we all depend.’
In addition to their major hit Insomnia, Faithless also had six other UK top 10 hits and achieved three UK number one albums between 2004 and 2015.
You can sign up for Faithless tickets pre-sale here.
