Editing Belle and Sebastian

{{short description|Scottish indie pop band}}
{{About|the band||Belle and Sebastian (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Belle and Sebastian
| image            = Belle and Sebastian British Band.jpeg
| landscape        = yes
| caption          = Members of Belle and Sebastian, pictured sometime between 2001 and 2006. Left to right: Mick Cooke, Richard Colburn, Bobby Kildea, Chris Geddes, Stevie Jackson, Sarah Martin, Stuart Murdoch)

| origin           = [[Glasgow]], Scotland
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Indie pop]]<ref name="AM bio">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/belle-and-sebastian-mn0000153565/biography|title=Belle and Sebastian – Biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=5 February 2017 |last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas}}</ref>|[[twee pop]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|date=2007|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC&pg=PA3038 |publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|page=3038|isbn=978-0-85712-595-8}}</ref>|[[indie rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/belle-and-sebastian-new-album-a-bit-of-previous/|title=Belle and Sebastian release new album 'A Bit of Previous'|last=Potter|first=Jordan|date=May 6, 2022|website=[[Far Out (magazine)|Far Out]]|access-date=November 26, 2022}}</ref>|[[chamber pop]]<ref name="npr">{{cite web|title=Belle and Sebastian, The New Pornographers in Concert|website=NPR.org|url=https://www.npr.org/2006/03/06/5235927/belle-and-sebastian-the-new-pornographers|publisher=[[NPR]]|access-date=19 August 2016}}</ref>}}
| years_active     = 1996–present
| label            = {{hlist|[[Rough Trade Records|Rough Trade]]|[[Jeepster Records|Jeepster]]|[[Matador Records|Matador]]|[[Arts & Crafts México]]}}
| current_members  = * [[Stuart Murdoch (musician)|Stuart Murdoch]]
* [[Stevie Jackson]]
* [[Sarah Martin (musician)|Sarah Martin]]
* Chris Geddes
* [[Richard Colburn]]
* [[Bobby Kildea]]
* Dave McGowan
| past_members     = * [[Mick Cooke (musician)|Mick Cooke]]
* [[Isobel Campbell]]
* [[Stuart David]]
| website          = {{URL|belleandsebastian.com}}
}}
'''Belle and Sebastian''' are a Scottish [[indie pop]] band formed in [[Glasgow]] in 1996. Led by [[Stuart Murdoch (musician)|Stuart Murdoch]], the band has released twelve studio albums.<ref name="a2x">{{Citation |last=Taylor |first=Steve |author-link=Steve Taylor |title=The A to X of Alternative Music |publisher=[[Continuum International Publishing Group]] |year=2004 |pages=30–31 |isbn=0-8264-8217-1}}</ref><ref name="grd">{{Citation |last=Strong |first=Martin Charles |title=The Great Rock Discography: Complete Discographies Listing Every Track Recorded By More Than 1200 Artists |publisher=[[Canongate Books|Canongate U.S.]] |year=2004 |page=122 |isbn=1-84195-615-5}}</ref> They are often compared with acts such as [[the Smiths]]<ref>{{Citation |last=Cassidy |first=Jude |title=The Rough Guide to Rock |publisher=[[Rough Guides]] |year=1999 |page=358 |isbn=1-84353-105-4}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Metcalf |first=Stephen |title= MUSIC; With the Auteur Passé, Rock Gets Impersonal |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4D61E3CF932A35757C0A9679C8B63 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1 April 2001 |accessdate=4 November 2007| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071210172823/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE4D61E3CF932A35757C0A9679C8B63| archivedate= 10 December 2007 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status= live}}</ref> and [[Nick Drake]].<ref name="a2x" /><ref name="grd" /> The band took their name from the 1965 television series ''[[Belle and Sebastian (1965 TV series)|Belle and Sebastian]]''.

==History==
===Formation, early years and ''Tigermilk'' (1994–1996)===
In 1994, [[Stuart Murdoch (musician)|Stuart Murdoch]] and [[Stuart David]] both enrolled at [[Stow College]]'s Beatbox programme for unemployed musicians in Glasgow.<ref name="a2x" /> Together, with music professor [[Alan Rankine]] (formerly of [[The Associates (band)|the Associates]]), they recorded some demos, which in 1996 were picked up by the college's Music Business course that produces and releases one single each year on the college's label, [[Electric Honey (label)|Electric Honey]]. As Murdoch had a number of songs already and the label was extremely impressed with the demos, he was granted permission to record a full-length album, which was recorded mostly live over three days, entitled ''[[Tigermilk]]''.

Murdoch and David recruited local musicians [[Stevie Jackson]] (guitar and vocals), [[Isobel Campbell]] (cello/vocals), Chris Geddes (keys) and [[Richard Colburn]] (drums), the latter of whom shared a flat with David and was a student on the Music Business course, to perform on the album, with Murdoch describing the process as a "product of botched capitalism".<ref name="a2x" /> The band chose the name Belle and Sebastian from a short story Murdoch had written inspired by the television series of the same name, about a six-year-old boy and his dog, named Belle, a Great Pyrenees.<ref name="grd" /><ref name="Rock Formations">{{Citation |last=Wilson |first=Dave |title=Rock Formations: Categorical Answers to How Band Names Were Formed |publisher=Cidermill Books |year=2005 |page=105 |isbn=0-9748483-5-2}}</ref> In June 1996, Electric Honey pressed up one thousand copies of ''Tigermilk'' on [[Gramophone record|vinyl]].<ref name="grd" />

===''If You're Feeling Sinister'' and early EPs (1996–1998)===
The warm response ''Tigermilk'' received led to the band being signed to [[Jeepster Records]] in August 1996, who released their second album ''[[If You're Feeling Sinister]]'' on 18 November.<ref name="pbs">{{Citation |title=Belle and Sebastian 2nd Melbourne show! |url=http://www.pbsfm.org.au/Documents.asp?ID=2536&Title=Belle+and+Sebastian+2nd+Melbourne+show!++ |work=PBS 106.7FM |access-date=4 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070916203738/http://pbsfm.org.au/Documents.asp?ID=2536&Title=Belle+and+Sebastian+2nd+Melbourne+show%21++ |archive-date=16 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album was named by ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' as one of the 100 greatest albums between 1985 and 2005,<ref>{{Citation|title=100 Greatest Albums, 1985–2005 |url=https://www.spin.com/2005/06/100-greatest-albums-1985-2005/ |work=Spin|date=20 June 2005 |access-date=11 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804123605/https://www.spin.com/2005/06/100-greatest-albums-1985-2005/ |archive-date=4 August 2009 }}</ref> and it is widely considered the band's masterpiece.<ref name="notebook" /> Just before the recording of ''Sinister'', [[Sarah Martin (musician)|Sarah Martin]] (violin/vocals) joined the band.

Following this a series of EPs were released throughout 1997.<ref>{{Citation |last=Hornby |first=Nick |title=Lazy Line Painter Jane |url=http://www.salon.com/music/sharps/1997/11/14sharps.html |work=Salon |date=14 November 1997 |access-date=5 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071210214633/http://www.salon.com/music/sharps/1997/11/14sharps.html| archive-date= 10 December 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The first of these was ''[[Dog on Wheels]]'', released in May and consisting of four demo tracks recorded prior to the real formation of the band. In fact, the only long-term band members to play on the songs were Murdoch, David, and [[Mick Cooke (musician)|Mick Cooke]], who played trumpet on the EP but would not officially join the band until a few years later. It charted at No.&nbsp;59 in the UK singles chart.<ref name="pbs" /> The ''[[Lazy Line Painter Jane]]'' EP followed in July. The track was recorded in the church where Murdoch lived<ref name="lim">{{Citation |last=Lim |first=Dennis |title=Winter of Their Youth |url=http://www.villagevoice.com/1998-09-15/music/winter-of-their-youth/ |work=The Village Voice |date=15 September 1998 |access-date=5 November 2007 |archive-date=5 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805062619/http://www.villagevoice.com/1998-09-15/music/winter-of-their-youth/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> and features vocals from [[Monica Queen]]. The EP narrowly missed out on the UK top 40, peaking at No.&nbsp;41.<ref name="pbs" /> The last of the EPs was October's ''[[3.. 6.. 9 Seconds of Light]]''. The EP was made Single of the Week in both the ''[[NME]]'' and ''[[Melody Maker]]'' and reached No.&nbsp;32 in the charts, thus becoming the band's first top 40 single.<ref name="pbs" />

Despite the band's growing popularity, during this period they kept a low profile at the insistence of Murdoch, who was still regaining his strength following years struggling with [[Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome|myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)]]. The band played gigs sporadically, rarely gave interviews, and refused to appear in publicity photographs, often getting friends and acquaintances to pose instead. The relative reclusiveness helped to create an aura of mystique around them.

===''The Boy with the Arab Strap'', ''Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant'' and Line-up Changes (1998–2003)===
{{Listen
 |filename     = Belle-Sebastian-The boy with the arab strap.ogg
 |title        = 'The Boy with the Arab Strap'
 |description  = The title of the album, ''[[The Boy with the Arab Strap]]'' caused some tension between Belle and Sebastian and fellow Scots band [[Arab Strap (band)|Arab Strap]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Laurence |first=A. |title=Arab Strap interview |url=http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/may_2001/arab_strap_interview.html |work=Free Williamsburg |date=May 2005 |access-date=6 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927174011/http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/may_2001/arab_strap_interview.html| archive-date= 27 September 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>}}
The band released their third LP, ''[[The Boy with the Arab Strap]]'' in 1998, and it reached No.&nbsp;12 in the UK charts.<ref>{{Citation |last=Best |first=Sophie |title=Ring the Belle |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/22/1090464785300.html |work=The Age |location=Australia |date=23 July 2004 |access-date=5 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071210205932/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/22/1090464785300.html| archive-date= 10 December 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>  ''Arab Strap'' garnered an NPR interview<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1024418|title=Belle And Sebastian|website=NPR.org|publisher=NPR}}</ref> and positive reviews from ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ratliff |first=Ben |title=The Boy With the Arab Strap review |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/belleandsebastian/albums/album/103457/review/5941160/the_boy_with_the_arab_strap  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071027105615/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/belleandsebastian/albums/album/103457/review/5941160/the_boy_with_the_arab_strap |archive-date=27 October 2007 |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=25 August 1998 |url-status=dead |access-date=11 November 2007}}</ref> and ''[[The Village Voice]],''<ref name="lim" /> and others; however, the album has its detractors,<ref>{{Citation |last=Owings |first=Henry |title=The Overrated Book |publisher=[[Last Gasp (publisher)|Last Gasp]] |year=2006 |isbn=0-86719-657-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/overratedbook0000unse }}</ref> including ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'', who gave the album a particularly poor review, calling it a "parody" of their earlier work (Pitchfork has since removed the review from their website and re-reviewed the album positively in 2018).<ref>{{Citation |last=Josephes |first=Jason |title=The Boy With the Arab Strap review |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/15372-the-boy-with-the-arab-strap |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221210634/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/15372-the-boy-with-the-arab-strap |archive-date=21 December 2007 |work=Pitchfork |date=1 October 1998 |access-date=11 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Plagenhoef |first=Scott |title=The Boy With the Arab Strap |date=18 February 2018 |access-date=22 February 2018|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/belle-and-sebastian-the-boy-with-the-arab-strap/}}</ref> During the recording of the album, long-time studio trumpet-player Mick Cooke was asked to join the band as a full member.<ref name="rse">{{Citation |last=Pareles |first=John |title=The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll |publisher=[[Fireside Publishing]] |year=2001 |page=[https://archive.org/details/rollingstoneency00holl/page/66 66] |isbn=0-7432-0120-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/rollingstoneency00holl/page/66 }}</ref> The ''[[This Is Just a Modern Rock Song]]'' EP followed later that year.<ref>{{Citation |title=MODERN LOVERS ROCK HARD |url=https://www.nme.com/news/belle-and-sebastian/676 |website=NME |location=UK |date=26 October 1998 |access-date=5 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071130035719/http://www.nme.com/news/belle-and-sebastian/676| archive-date= 30 November 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

In 1999, the band was awarded with Best Newcomer (for their third album) at the [[BRIT Awards]], upsetting better-known acts such as [[Steps (band)|Steps]] and [[5ive]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Robbie rules over Brits |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/brit_awards/280847.stm |publisher=BBC |date=17 February 1999 |access-date=4 November 2007}}</ref> That same year, the band hosted their own festival, the [[Bowlie Weekender]]. ''[[Tigermilk]]'' was also given a full release by [[Jeepster Records|Jeepster]] before the band started work on their next LP. The result was ''[[Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant]]'', which became the band's first top 10 album in the UK, though critics felt that the band were starting to stagnate.<ref name="pbs" /> A stand-alone single, "[[Legal Man]]", reached No.&nbsp;15 and gave them their first appearance on [[Top of the Pops]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Urban |first=Andy |title=Side Project Becomes Full-Length Let Down |url=http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/237 |work=Dusted Magazine |date=18 June 2002 |access-date=4 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215072519/http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/237 |archive-date=15 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:Belle and Sebastian performing.jpg|thumb|230px|Belle and Sebastian performing at the [[9:30 Club]] in Washington, D.C., in 2006]]
As the band's popularity and recognition was growing worldwide, their music began appearing in films and on television. The 2000 film ''[[High Fidelity (film)|High Fidelity]]'' mentions the band (with [[Jack Black]]'s character referring to them as "old sad bastard music" and disdaining their soft style) and features a clip from the song "[[Seymour Stein]]" from ''The Boy with the Arab Strap''.<ref>{{Citation|last=Zacharek |first=Stephanie |title=High Fidelity |url=http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/review/2000/03/31/high_fidelity/print.html |work=Salon |date=31 March 2000 |access-date=5 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612101724/http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/review/2000/03/31/high_fidelity/print.html |archive-date=12 June 2010}}</ref> Two songs by the band ("Expectations" and "Piazza, New York Catcher") appeared on the soundtrack for the 2007 hit film ''[[Juno (film)|Juno]].''<ref>{{Citation |last=Various Artists |title=Juno: Music From the Motion Picture |date=2008 |url=https://www.amazon.com/Juno-Motion-Picture-Various-Artists/dp/B00104W8T6 |publisher=Rhino Records / Fox Music / Fox Searchlight |language=English |access-date=2023-01-04}}</ref> Also, the title track from ''Arab Strap'' was played over the end credits of the UK television series ''[[Teachers (UK TV series)|Teachers]],''<ref>{{Citation|last=Virtue |first=Graeme |title=Jingle Book Belles |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20031221/ai_n12585237 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210184147/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20031221/ai_n12585237 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2007 |work=Sunday Herald |date=21 December 2003 |access-date=4 November 2007 }}</ref> and the lyric "Colour my life with the chaos of trouble" from the song was quoted by one of the characters in the 2009 film ''[[(500) Days of Summer]]''.

[[Stuart David]] soon left the band to concentrate on his side project, [[Looper (band)|Looper]], and his book writing, which included his ''The Idle Thoughts of a Daydreamer''.<ref>{{Citation|last=Heim |first=Joe |title=Sharps & Flats: Looper |url=http://www.salon.com/entertainment/music/review/2000/05/09/looper/index.html |work=Salon |date=9 May 2000 |access-date=5 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201055935/http://www.salon.com/entertainment/music/review/2000/05/09/looper/index.html |archive-date=1 February 2011}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Bobby Kildea]] of [[V-Twin (band)|V-Twin]]. The "[[Jonathan David (song)|Jonathan David]]" single, sung by Stevie Jackson, was released in June 2001 and was followed by "[[I'm Waking Up to Us]]" in November, which saw the band use an outside producer ([[Mike Hurst (producer)|Mike Hurst]]) for the first time.<ref name="pop">{{Citation |last=Sturges |first=Fiona |title=Pop: Scots of the arch antics |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20011130/ai_n14433572 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071210184343/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20011130/ai_n14433572 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2007 |work=The Independent |location=UK |date=30 November 2001 |access-date=5 November 2007 }}</ref> Most of 2002 was spent touring and recording a soundtrack album, ''[[Storytelling (Belle and Sebastian album)|Storytelling]]'' (for ''[[Storytelling (film)|Storytelling]]'' by [[Todd Solondz]]).<ref>{{Citation |last=Nichols |first=Peter M. |title=The New York Times Guide to the Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made |publisher=[[St. Martin's Press]] |year=2004 |page=955 |isbn=0-312-32611-4}}</ref> Campbell left the band in the spring of 2002, in the middle of the band's North American tour to pursue a solo career, first as '''The Gentle Waves''', and later under her own name. She later collaborated with singer [[Mark Lanegan]] on three albums.<ref>{{Citation |last=Hansen |first=Liane |title=Isobel Campbell: After Belle Comes 'Ballad' |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5288601 |publisher=NPR |date=19 March 2006 |access-date=4 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071213050305/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5288601| archive-date= 13 December 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="mtv">{{Citation |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=Belle and Sebastian: Full Biography |url=http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/belle_sebastian_1/artist.jhtml#bio |publisher=MTV |access-date=4 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071012020424/http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/belle_sebastian_1/artist.jhtml| archive-date= 12 October 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref>

===''Dear Catastrophe Waitress'', ''The Life Pursuit'' and hiatus (2003–2010)===
The band left Jeepster in 2002, signing a four-album deal with [[Rough Trade Records]].<ref name="dcw">{{Citation |last=McGregor |first=Andrew |title=Belle and Sebastian, Dear Catastrophe Waitress |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/znrg |publisher=BBC |date=21 June 2001 |access-date=4 November 2007}}</ref> Their first album for Rough Trade, ''[[Dear Catastrophe Waitress]]'', was released in 2003 and was produced by [[Trevor Horn]].<ref name="secret">{{Citation|last=McCracken |first=Edd |title=Secret seven win through |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20031005/ai_n12586361 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210184142/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20031005/ai_n12586361 |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2007 |work=Sunday Herald |date=5 October 2003 |access-date=4 November 2007 }}</ref> The album showed a markedly more "produced" sound compared to their first four LPs,<ref name="eye">{{Citation|last=Grant |first=Kieran |title=Belle and Sebastian Q&A |url=http://www.eyeweekly.com/eye/issue/issue_11.06.03/music/qa2.php |work=Eye Weekly |date=6 November 2003 |access-date=5 November 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522151712/http://www.eyeweekly.com/eye/issue/issue_11.06.03/music/qa2.php |archive-date=22 May 2011}}</ref> as the band was making a concerted effort to produce more "radio-friendly" music.<ref name="secret" /> At this point, the band began to engage more with the press and started appearing in publicity shots. The album was warmly received and is credited with restoring the band's "indie cred".<ref name="grd" /> The album also marked the return of Murdoch as the group's primary songwriter, following the poorly received ''Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant'' and ''Storytelling'', both of which were more collaborative than the band's early work.<ref>{{Citation |last=Raihala |first=Ross |title=Belle and Sebastian pouring out their souls – again |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2002878317_bellesebastian21.html |work=The Seattle Times |date=21 March 2006 |access-date=6 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210215308/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2002878317_bellesebastian21.html |archive-date=10 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A documentary DVD, ''[[Fans Only]]'', was released by Jeepster in October 2003, featuring promotional videos, live clips and unreleased footage.<ref name="notebook" /> A single from the album, "[[Step into My Office, Baby]]" followed in November 2003; it would be their first single to be taken from an album,<ref name="dcw" /> and included a track recorded with [[The Divine Comedy (band)|Divine Comedy]] producer [[Darren Allison]] entitled ''Love on the March''.

The [[Thin Lizzy]]-inspired "[[I'm a Cuckoo]]" was the second single from the album.<ref name="eye" /><ref>{{Citation |last=Devenish |first=Colin |title=Belle & Sebastian Back in Town |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/belleandsebastian/articles/story/5936950/belle__sebastian_back_in_town |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210214213/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/belleandsebastian/articles/story/5936950/belle__sebastian_back_in_town |archive-date=10 December 2007 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=27 October 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=5 November 2007}}</ref> It achieved their highest chart position yet, reaching No.&nbsp;14 in the UK.<ref name="mtv" /> The ''[[Books (EP)|Books]]'' EP followed, a double A-side single led by "Wrapped Up in Books" from ''Dear Catastrophe Waitress'' and the new "Your Cover's Blown". This EP became the band's third top 20 UK release, and the band was nominated for both the [[Mercury Music Prize]] and an [[Ivor Novello Award]]. In January 2005, B&S was voted Scotland's greatest band in a poll by [[The List (magazine)|The List]], beating [[Simple Minds]], [[Idlewild (band)|Idlewild]], [[Travis (band)|Travis]], [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]], and [[The Proclaimers]], among others.<ref name="erd">{{Citation |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |title=The Essential Rock Discography |publisher=[[Open City Books]] |year=2006 |page=80 |isbn=1-84195-860-3}}</ref>

In April 2005, members of the band visited Israel and the [[Palestinian territories]] with the UK charity [[War on Want]];<ref name="guardian" /> the group subsequently recorded a song inspired by the trip titled "The Eighth Station of the Cross Kebab House", which would first appear on the digital-download version of the charity album [[Help!: A Day in the Life]] and would later have a physical release as a B-side on 2006's "[[Funny Little Frog]]" single. ''[[Push Barman to Open Old Wounds]]'', a compilation of the Jeepster singles and EPs, was released in May 2005 while the band were recording their seventh album in California. The result of the sessions was ''[[The Life Pursuit]]'', produced by [[Tony Hoffer]].<ref name="guardian">{{Citation |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |title=Belle and Sebastian, The Life Pursuit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/feb/03/popandrock.shopping9 |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=3 February 2006 |access-date=5 November 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Beaujon |first=Andrew |title=The Happiness Of 'Pursuit' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/07/AR2006020701798.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=8 February 2006 |access-date=5 November 2007}}</ref> The album, originally intended to be a double album,<ref>{{Citation |last=McBay |first=Nadine |title=Belle & Sebastian: We managed to do things without pandering to the London machine |url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/580171-belle-sebastian--we-managed-to-do-things-without-pandering-to-the-london-machine |work=Drowned in Sound |date=19 January 2006 |access-date=4 November 2007 |archive-date=27 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127165407/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/580171-belle-sebastian--we-managed-to-do-things-without-pandering-to-the-london-machine |url-status=dead }}</ref> became the band's highest-charting album upon its release in February 2006, peaking at No.&nbsp;8 in the UK and No.&nbsp;65 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Harris |first=Chris |title=Jack Johnson Scores First Billboard No.&nbsp;1 With 'Curious' Tunes |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1524351/20060215/johnson_jack.jhtml |publisher=MTV |date=15 February 2006 |access-date=5 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071213055146/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1524351/20060215/johnson_jack.jhtml| archive-date= 13 December 2007 | url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Belle & Sebastian get the 'Blues' on new single |url=https://www.nme.com/news/belle-and-sebastian/22384 |website=NME |location=UK |date=3 March 2006 |access-date=5 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071130035714/http://www.nme.com/news/belle-and-sebastian/22384| archive-date= 30 November 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> "Funny Little Frog", which preceded it, also proved to be their highest-charting single, debuting at No.&nbsp;13.<ref name="notebook">{{Citation |last=Sanneh |first=Kelefa |title=CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK; A Quiet Band Worth Fighting Loudly About Makes Some More Noise |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/02/arts/music/02sann.html |work=The New York Times |date=2 February 2006 |access-date=5 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071211024132/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980CEFDB1F3FF931A35751C0A9609C8B63| archive-date= 11 December 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

On 6 July 2006, the band played a historic<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2006/music/markets-festivals/belle-sebastian-l-a-philharmonic-the-shins-1200514908/|title=Belle & Sebastian / L.A. Philharmonic; the Shins|last=Gallo|first=Phil|date=2006-07-09|work=Variety|access-date=2018-02-01}}</ref> show with the [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]] at the [[Hollywood Bowl]].<ref>{{Citation|last=Rosen |first=Steven |title=Belle & Sebastian with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra |url=http://harpmagazine.com/reviews/concert_reviews/detail.cfm?article=10382 |work=Harp Magazine |date=6 June 2006 |access-date=4 November 2007 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213205947/http://harpmagazine.com/reviews/concert_reviews/detail.cfm?article=10382 |archive-date=13 December 2007}}</ref> The opening act at the 18,000 seat sell-out concert was [[The Shins]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Mancina |first=Kristin |title=Belle & Sebastian and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Featuring the Shins |url=http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Entertainment/cat_index_la_events/Belle_Sebastian_and_the_Los_Angeles_Philharmonic_Featuring_the_Shins.php |work=L.A. Splash Magazine |access-date=4 November 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071210221900/http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Entertainment/cat_index_la_events/Belle_Sebastian_and_the_Los_Angeles_Philharmonic_Featuring_the_Shins.php| archive-date= 10 December 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> The members of the band see this as a landmark event, with Stevie Jackson saying, "This is the biggest thrill of my entire life".<ref>{{Citation |last=Wener |first=Ben |title=Belle and Sebastian: Delightful in every way |url=http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/group-143025-never-anything.html |work=Orange County Register |date=7 July 2006 |access-date=4 November 2007}}</ref> In October 2006, members of the band helped put together a CD collection of new songs for children titled ''[[Colours Are Brighter]]'', with the involvement of major bands such as [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]] and [[The Flaming Lips]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Llewellyn |first=Katie |title=Belle & Sebastian-Curated Kids' Comp Details Revealed |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/37461-belle-sebastian-curated-kids-comp-details-revealed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214234310/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/37461-belle-sebastian-curated-kids-comp-details-revealed |archive-date=14 December 2007 |work=Pitchfork |date=18 July 2006 |access-date=4 November 2007}}</ref>

On 18 November 2008 the band released ''[[The BBC Sessions (Belle and Sebastian album)|The BBC Sessions]]'', which features songs from the period of 1996–2001 (including the last recordings featuring Isobel Campbell before she left the band), along with a second disc featuring a recording of a live performance in [[Belfast]] from Christmas 2001.<ref>{{Citation |last=Thompson |first=Paul |title=Belle and Sebastian Collect BBC Sessions on New Comp |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/33520-belle-and-sebastian-collect-ibbc-sessionsi-on-new-comp/ |work=Pitchfork |date=18 September 2008 |access-date=5 November 2008 |archive-date=17 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817211616/http://pitchfork.com/news/33520-belle-and-sebastian-collect-ibbc-sessionsi-on-new-comp/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===''Write About Love'' and ''Girls In Peacetime Want to Dance'' (2010–2016)===
On 17 July 2010, the band performed their first UK gig in almost four years to a crowd of around 30,000 at [[Latitude Festival]] in Henham Park, [[Southwold]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latitudefestival.co.uk/2010/lineup/artist.aspx.AID=1465a9e0-90bd-412d-a343-d99400eeb6f2.venue=Obelisk%20Arena.artist=Belle%20and%20Sebastian.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928204741/http://www.latitudefestival.co.uk/2010/lineup/artist.aspx.AID=1465a9e0-90bd-412d-a343-d99400eeb6f2.venue=Obelisk%20Arena.artist=Belle%20and%20Sebastian.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 September 2011 |title=Line-up – Latitude Festival 2011 |publisher=Latitudefestival.co.uk |access-date=7 April 2011 }}</ref> They performed two new songs, "I Didn't See It Coming" and "I'm Not Living in the Real World".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/belle-and-sebastian/2010/latitude-festival-southwold-england-1bd46130.html |title=Belle and Sebastian Concert Setlist at Latitude Festival, Southwold on July&nbsp;17, 2010 |publisher=setlist.fm |access-date=7 April 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Belle and Sebastian 03 - Columbiahalle in Berlin 2011.jpg|thumb|right|Onstage in Berlin, 2011]]
Their eighth studio album, released in the UK and internationally on 25 September 2010, was titled ''[[Belle and Sebastian Write About Love|Write about Love]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.belleandsebastian.com/newsstory.php?id=503 |title=News |publisher=Belle and Sebastian |access-date=7 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124093353/http://www.belleandsebastian.com/newsstory.php?id=503 |archive-date=24 November 2010 }}</ref> The first single from the album, as well as the record's title track "[[Write About Love (song)|Write about Love]]", was released in the US on 7 September 2010. ''Write about Love'' entered the UK albums chart in its first week of release, peaking at No.&nbsp;8 as of 19 October 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20101017/7502/ |title=Archive Chart |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=23 October 2010 |access-date=24 November 2010}}</ref> [[Norah Jones]] is featured on the track "Little Lou, Ugly Jack, Prophet John",<ref>{{Citation |last=Yentch |first=Katrina |title=Norah Jones to sing on new Belle and Sebastian album |url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/norah_jones_to_sing_on_new_belle_and_sebastian_album |publisher=Under the Radar |date=19 August 2010 |access-date=4 September 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100822135713/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/norah_jones_to_sing_on_new_belle_and_sebastian_album| archive-date= 22 August 2010 | url-status= live}}/</ref> and [[Carey Mulligan]] sings on the title track.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/39957-new-belle-and-sebastian-write-about-love|title=New Belle and Sebastian: "Write About Love"|date=7 September 2010|first=Ryan|last=Dombal}}</ref>

In December 2010 Belle and Sebastian curated the sequel to the ''Bowlie Weekender'' in the form of ''Bowlie 2'' presented by [[All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)|All Tomorrow's Parties]].

In 2013, [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork TV]] released an hour-long documentary in February, directed by RJ Bentler which focused on the band's 1996 album ''[[If You're Feeling Sinister]]'', as well as the formation and early releases of the band. The documentary featured interviews with every member that was present on the album, as well as several archival photos and videos from the band's early days.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/49599-pitchforktv-presents-a-documentary-on-belle-and-sebastians-if-youre-feeling-sinister/ |title=Pitchfork.tv Presents a Documentary Film on Belle and Sebastian's If You're Feeling Sinister |access-date=2013-02-19 |work=Pitchfork |date=2013-02-18 |archive-date=20 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220063440/http://pitchfork.com/news/49599-pitchforktv-presents-a-documentary-on-belle-and-sebastians-if-youre-feeling-sinister/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The band compiled a second compilation album ''[[The Third Eye Centre]]'' which included the B-sides and rarities released after ''Push Barman to Open Old Wounds'', from the albums ''Dear Catastrophe Waitress'', ''The Life Pursuit'', and ''Write about Love''. In an interview at the end of 2013,<ref>{{cite web|title=Interview: Mick Cooke (formerly) of Belle & Sebastian|url=http://www.thecurrent.org/feature/2013/12/11/interview-mick-cooke-formerly-of-belle-and-sebastian|website=The Current|access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> Mick Cooke confirmed he had left the band on good terms.

The band received an 'Outstanding Contribution to Music Award' at the [[NME Awards]] 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belle & Sebastian win Outstanding Contribution To Music Award at NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas|url=https://www.nme.com/news/belle-and-sebastian/75556|website=NME|access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, the band returned to the studio, recording in [[Atlanta]], Georgia for their ninth studio album,<ref>{{cite web|title=Belle And Sebastian confirm new album recording sessions|url=https://www.nme.com/news/belle-and-sebastian--2/77572|website=NME|access-date=4 June 2014}}</ref> along with announcing tour dates for various festivals and concerts across the world during 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Live Dates|url=http://www.belleandsebastian.com/live-dates|website=Belle and Sebastian official website|access-date=4 June 2014|archive-date=7 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807003908/http://www.belleandsebastian.com/live-dates|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their ninth album ''[[Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance]]'' was released on 19 January 2015.<ref>[https://www.nme.com/reviews/belle-and-sebastian--2/15877 The Glasgow veterans flit between acoustic indie and disco bangers on their camp and scatterbrained ninth album], ''NME'', by Dan Stubbs, 14 January 2015</ref> It was their first album with Dave McGowan, who had been their touring bassist since 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2015/03/belle_sebastian_are_still_find.html|title=Belle & Sebastian find ways to keep their music fresh after 20 years|first=Robert|last=Ham|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=31 March 2015|access-date=18 January 2019}}</ref>

The Belle and Sebastian song "There's Too Much Love" forms much of the soundtrack for the Brazilian film ''The Way He Looks'', about a blind, gay teenage boy and his friends, released in 2014.

Belle and Sebastian performed at the [[Glastonbury Festival]] on 28 June 2015, on 'The Other Stage' and at O2 Academy, Glasgow in March 2017 which was televised in the UK as part of the 'BBC 6 MUSIC Presents Festival'.

===''How to Solve Our Human Problems'', ''A Bit of Previous'' and ''Late Developers'' (2017–present)===
[[File:Belle & Sebastian, Orpheum Theater, Boston 2024.jpg|thumb|left|Performing "Piazza, New York Catcher" at the [[Orpheum Theatre (Boston)|Orpheum]] Boston, 2024]]
In mid-2017, the band put out a new single, "We Were Beautiful".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://consequence.net/2017/07/belle-and-sebastian-share-new-track-we-were-beautiful-stream/ |title=Belle and Sebastian share new track 'We Were Beautiful': Stream |magazine=Consequence of Sound |author=Eddie Fu |date=2017-07-28 |access-date=2017-09-28}}</ref> During the same year, the band appeared in the news for a comical story that occurred during their US tour, in which they accidentally forgot Colburn in a [[North Dakota]] [[Walmart]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Ben Beaumont-Thomas |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/aug/16/belle-and-sebastian-accidentally-leave-drummer-in-pyjamas-in-walmart |title=Belle and Sebastian accidentally leave drummer in pyjamas in Walmart  |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=2020-03-07}}</ref> In December 2017 and January and February 2018, the band released a trio of EPs under the name ''[[How to Solve Our Human Problems]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belle & Sebastian announce three new EPs: 'People need an escape from the dystopia'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/belle-and-sebastian-how-to-solve-human-problems-three-eps-interview-90s-touring-fans-politics-2148684|website=NME|access-date=10 October 2014}}</ref>

On 3 November 2018, the band announced that Dave McGowan had become a member.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Matthew W. |title=Belle and Sebastian hitting the road with tuneful tendencies intact |url=https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/belle-and-sebastian-hit-the-road-with-tuneful-tendencies-intact/FGFEQNSXQFH2DFVOC5N5KN4KQA/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=English |issn=1539-7459}}</ref>

In August 2019, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first [[Bowlie Weekender]] festival, Belle & Sebastian held a third festival, dubbed the ''Boaty Weekender''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jack |first1=Maclolm|title=All bands on deck: aboard the Belle and Sebastian Med and music cruise |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/aug/13/belle-and-sebastian-boaty-weekender-indie-festival-cruise |website=The Guardian |date=13 August 2019 |access-date=13 August 2019 }}</ref> Unlike the previous two festivals, the Boaty Weekender was held on a cruise ship in the [[Mediterranean Sea]] instead of UK holiday parks.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Korstanje |first1=Emma |title=Belle & Sebastian Announce Lineup for 2019 Festival Cruise, The Boaty Weekender |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/09/the-boaty-weekender-lineup.html |website=Paste |access-date=16 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Jack |first1=Maclolm |title=The Boaty Weekender: welcome to Glastonbury on the Med |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/the-boaty-weekender-welcome-to-glastonbury-on-the-med-lr7dhq3xj |website=[[The Times]] |date=12 August 2019 |access-date=13 August 2019 }}</ref>

The band's eleventh studio album, ''[[A Bit of Previous]]'', was released in May 2022.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Belle and Sebastian to Return With First Studio Album in Seven Years |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/belle-and-sebastian-announce-a-bit-of-previous-1313941/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref>

In January 2023, the band announced the surprise release of their twelfth studio album, ''[[Late Developers]]''. Lead single "I Don't Know What You See in Me" was released on 9 January 2023 with the album released on 13 January 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/belle-and-sebastian-releasing-new-album-late-developers-this-friday-01-13-2023/ |title=Belle and Sebastian Releasing New Album, ''Late Developers'', This Friday|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|last=Arcand|first=Rob|date=9 January 2023 |access-date=10 January 2023 }}</ref>

==Collaborations and side projects==
* [[The Reindeer Section]] were a Scottish indie rock supergroup formed in 2001 by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol, which released albums and gigged in 2001 and 2002. It featured Richard Colburn, Mick Cooke and Bobby Kildea from Belle and Sebastian.
* [[The Vaselines]] are an alternative rock band formed in Glasgow in 1986. Between 2008 and 2014 their lineup featured Stevie Jackson and Bobby Kildea from Belle and Sebastian and they performed at [[Bowlie Weekender]] 2 curated by Belle and Sebastian in December 2010.
* [[Tired Pony]] was a country / Americana supergroup formed by Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol in 2010. It features Richard Colburn from Belle and Sebastian.
* [[God Help the Girl]] is a musical project by Stuart Murdoch, featuring a group of female vocalists, including Catherine Ireton, with Belle and Sebastian as the accompanying band.
* [[Looper (band)|Looper]] is an electronic music group fronted by Stuart David.

==Band members==
'''Current members'''
* [[Stuart Murdoch (musician)|Stuart Murdoch]] – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards <small>(1996–present)</small>
* [[Stevie Jackson]] – guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals, piano <small>(1996–present)</small>
* Chris Geddes – keyboards, piano, percussion <small>(1996–present)</small>
* [[Richard Colburn]] – drums, percussion <small>(1996–present)</small>
* [[Sarah Martin (musician)|Sarah Martin]] – backing and lead vocals, violin, guitar, flute, keyboards, recorder, percussion <small>(1996–present)</small>
* [[Bobby Kildea]] – guitar, bass <small>(2001–present)</small>
* Dave McGowan – bass, keyboards, guitar <small>(2018–present; touring musician 2012–2018)</small>

'''Former members'''
* [[Isobel Campbell]] – backing and occasional lead vocals, cello, guitar <small>(1996–2002)</small>
* [[Stuart David]] – bass <small>(1996–2000)</small>
* [[Mick Cooke (musician)|Mick Cooke]] – trumpet, guitar, bass, percussion <small>(1998–2013; touring musician 1996–1998)</small>

'''Timeline'''
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:90 top:0 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat  = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1996 till:{{#time: d/m/Y }}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Colors =
 id:vocals   value:red        legend:Lead_vocals
 id:bvocals  value:pink       legend:Backing_and_occasional_lead_vocals
 id:guitar   value:green      legend:Guitar
 id:bass     value:blue       legend:Bass
 id:keys     value:purple     legend:Keyboards,_piano,_percussion
 id:violin   value:drabgreen  legend:Violin,_flute,_recorder
 id:cello    value:darkblue   legend:Cello
 id:trumpet  value:skyblue    legend:Trumpet,_percussion
 id:drums    value:orange     legend:Drums,_percussion
 id:touring  value:coral      legend:Touring_musician
 id:album    value:black      legend:Studio_album
 id:EP       value:gray(0.6)  legend:Extended_play
 id:bars     value:gray(0.93)

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1996
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1996

LineData =
 layer:back
  color:album
  at:06/06/1996
  at:18/11/1996
  at:07/11/1998
  at:06/06/2000
  at:03/06/2002
  at:06/10/2003
  at:06/02/2006
  at:11/10/2010
  at:19/01/2015
  at:13/09/2019
  at:06/05/2022
  at:13/01/2023

  color:EP
  at:12/05/1997
  at:28/07/1997
  at:13/10/1997
  at:07/12/1998
  at:21/06/2004
  at:27/05/2008
  at:08/12/2017
  at:19/01/2018
  at:16/02/2018

BarData =
 bar:Murdoch text:"Stuart Murdoch"
 bar:Jackson text:"Stevie Jackson"
 bar:Kildea  text:"Bobby Kildea"
 bar:David   text:"Stuart David"
 bar:McGowan text:"Dave McGowan"
 bar:Geddes  text:"Chris Geddes"
 bar:Martin  text:"Sarah Martin"
 bar:Campbell text:"Isobel Campbell"
 bar:Cooke   text:"Mick Cooke"
 bar:Colburn text:"Richard Colburn"

PlotData=
 width:13 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
  bar:Murdoch   from:01/01/1996  till:end         color:vocals
  bar:Murdoch   from:01/01/1996  till:end         color:guitar width:3
  bar:Murdoch   from:01/10/1996  till:end         color:keys width:7
  bar:Jackson   from:01/01/1996  till:end         color:guitar
  bar:Jackson   from:01/10/1996  till:end         color:bvocals width:3
  bar:Geddes    from:01/01/1996  till:end         color:keys
  bar:Colburn   from:01/01/1996  till:end         color:drums
  bar:Campbell  from:01/01/1996  till:01/01/2002  color:cello
  bar:Campbell  from:01/10/1996  till:01/01/2002  color:bvocals width:3
  bar:Campbell  from:01/01/1998  till:01/01/2002  color:guitar width:7
  bar:David     from:01/01/1996  till:01/03/2000  color:bass
  bar:Martin    from:01/10/1996  till:end         color:violin
  bar:Martin    from:01/01/1998  till:06/06/2000  color:keys width:3
  bar:Martin    from:06/06/2000  till:end         color:keys width:7
  bar:Martin    from:01/01/2002  till:end         color:guitar width:9
  bar:Martin    from:06/06/2000  till:end         color:bvocals width:3
  bar:Cooke     from:01/01/1996  till:01/01/1998  color:touring
  bar:Cooke     from:01/01/1996  till:01/01/1998  color:trumpet width:3
  bar:Cooke     from:01/01/1998  till:01/01/2013  color:trumpet
  bar:Cooke     from:01/01/2001  till:01/01/2010  color:guitar width:7
  bar:Cooke     from:01/01/2001  till:01/01/2010  color:bass width:3
  bar:Kildea    from:01/01/2001  till:01/01/2010  color:guitar
  bar:Kildea    from:01/01/2001  till:01/01/2010  color:bass width:3
  bar:Kildea    from:01/01/2010  till:03/11/2018  color:bass
  bar:Kildea    from:01/01/2010  till:03/11/2018  color:guitar width:3
  bar:Kildea    from:03/11/2018  till:end         color:guitar
  bar:Kildea    from:03/11/2018  till:end         color:bass width:3
  bar:McGowan   from:01/01/2012  till:03/11/2018  color:touring
  bar:McGowan   from:01/01/2012  till:03/11/2018  color:bass width:3
  bar:McGowan   from:03/11/2018  till:end         color:bass
  bar:McGowan   from:03/11/2018  till:end         color:guitar width:3
  bar:McGowan   from:03/11/2018  till:end         color:keys width:7
}}

==Discography==
{{Main|Belle and Sebastian discography}}
'''Studio albums'''
* ''[[Tigermilk]]'' (1996)
* ''[[If You're Feeling Sinister]]'' (1996)
* ''[[The Boy with the Arab Strap]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Storytelling (Belle and Sebastian album)|Storytelling]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Dear Catastrophe Waitress]]'' (2003)
* ''[[The Life Pursuit]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Belle and Sebastian Write About Love|Write About Love]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Girls in Peacetime Want to Dance]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Days of the Bagnold Summer]]'' (2019)
* ''[[A Bit of Previous]]'' (2022)
* ''[[Late Developers]]'' (2023)
<!-- Per Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians/Article_guidelines#Discography_section, only studio albums are to be listed here -->

==See also==
* [[List of bands from Glasgow]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|http://www.belleandsebastian.com/}}
* {{YouTube|user=bellesglasgow|title=Official|suffix=}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000153565}}
* [https://belleandsebastian.bandcamp.com Belle and Sebastian] at [[Bandcamp]]
* {{discogs artist}}
* {{IMDb name|id=1852319}}

{{Belle and Sebastian}}{{Brit British Breakthrough}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Belle and Sebastian| ]]
[[Category:Brit Award winners]]
[[Category:British musical septets]]
[[Category:NME Awards winners]]
[[Category:Twee pop groups]]
[[Category:Scottish indie pop groups]]
[[Category:Matador Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical collectives]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1996]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from Glasgow]]
[[Category:Rough Trade Records artists]]
[[Category:Scottish indie rock groups]]
[[Category:Scottish rock music groups]]
[[Category:Sony Music Publishing artists]]
[[Category:Chamber pop groups]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Scotland]]
[[Category:Mixed-gender bands]]