The band was formed as we came out of the COVID-19 lockdowns.  The band was initiated by me and Harry Pope by KCL Jazz Society, with the aim of encouraging students to return to live music events at the university.  The band performed a selection of pop songs and students could sign up to sing and perform with a live band.  We brought together a house band of students and alumni, with James Green on drums, Alex Baker on Bass, John Hindley on Guitar, and Monica Curtin as our house singer. We also brought a range of some of the best trumpet, trombone and saxophone players from KCL to participate, playing a mixture of improvised and notated lines.

The band put on several performances in student bars in the capital, often performing to over 200 students at their height.

In summer 2022 and 2023, Fleet Street Beats has hosted a summer boat party, with over two hundred people joining the band on a boat heading up and down the Thames.