The Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy is a baroque pop band currently based in Dublin, Ireland, led by its sole constant member, Neil Hannon. Founded in 1989 by Hannon, the band's early years saw the release of the R.E.M.-influenced album Fanfare for the Comic Muse, which met with limited success. This was followed by EPs such as Timewatch (1991) and Europop (1992). Following the commercial underperformance of Europop, the initial lineup dissolved.

Undeterred, Hannon re-emerged in 1993 with the album Liberation, showcasing a diverse musical palette ranging from synth-pop to classical arrangements. While initial commercial success was modest, the band found a receptive audience in France, which paved the way for their 1994 album, Promenade. Heavily influenced by classical music, particularly the style of Michael Nyman, this concept album about a day in the life of two lovers garnered critical acclaim but did not achieve widespread commercial success.