The Travellers (Maltese band)

The band was formed in 2013 with the aim to create something different within the Maltese music scene.^[1] Clayton Bonello (bass guitar), Joseph Xerri (trumpet), Chris Gatt (main vocals), and Andrew Vella (guitar and backing vocals) were the original members. Sylvano Mizzi (saxophone and keyboards) and Micheal Camilleri (drums) joined later in the same year.^[3][4][5]

All members of the band come from the smaller Maltese island of Gozo. Just as other inhabitants of Gozo, they often have to take the boat to cross over to the main island. This was the inspiration for the band name.^[1][3] This is also referred to in their song "Il-Vjaġġatur" ("The Traveller") from their 2021 album Inżul u Tlajja'.^[6] Their debut single "Sempliċità" was a success and their two subsequent 2016 singles both topped the Maltese charts.^[7]

All the songs released by The Travellers are in Maltese.

In 2018, The Travellers released the song "Ilkoll Flimkien" ("All Together"). The lyrics include excerpts from the poem "Jekk" ("If") by the poet Oliver Friggieri.^[8]

Some of their songs focus on current affairs or social issues. In fact, The Travellers have collaborated with various local entities to create awareness about various issues. With their song "Il-Biża'" ("The Fear"), The Travellers collaborated with Richmond Foundation, an organization that offers support related to mental health.^[9][10] The ending of the music video for the song lists contact information for ways to receive mental health support.^[11] With their song "Siġġu Vojt" ("Empty Chair"), The Travellers collaborated with Transport Malta for the 2021 campaign against drinking and driving over the Christmas and New Year period.^[12]

The Travellers have collaborated with Maltese band Red Electric in the creation of a series of concerts where members of the two bands perform as a single large band. During these concerts the setlists include songs from the discographies of both bands. Concerts were performed in 2019 and 2022. In 2019, the concert was called "1". In 2022, it was called "ONE" and part of the proceeds from this concert were donated to the McDonald House Charities Malta which is an organization that helps families in need.^{[33][34][35][36][37][38]}

In 2022, local DJ and producer Carlo Gerada produced the first official remix of any song by The Travellers. He produced a remix of the song "Is-Sbuħija ta’ Dan iż-Żmien".^[31][32]

In 2023, The Travellers released a new version of their song "L-Imħabba Kelma Kbira Wisq", featuring Ira Losco. Losco and the band had known each other for several years but this was their first collaboration. The music video for this song includes local personalities and showcases various types of love among family and partners, and that love does not depend on race, gender, or sexuality.^[24][25]

Also in 2023, The Travellers released their second Christmas track "Tridx Tkun Tiegħi Dan Il-Milied" which features Maltese singers Ira Losco, Gianluca Bezzina, and Michela Pace.^[26]