Organisers of National Album Day welcome impact of 2021 event 20 Oct 2021
Vinyl LP sales up by a third; Kylie’s ‘Fever’ heading for return to Official Albums Chart Top 20
Midweek Official Vinyl Chart boasts four NAD titles in the Top-10 and 16 in the Top-40 overall
‘Celebrating Women in Music’ theme created a cultural & commercial focal point, enabling a national conversation around the album and the contribution of women to be honoured
#NationalAlbumDay trending #2 on National Album Day (Saturday, 16 October)
The fourth edition of National Album Day, staged on Saturday, 16 October, has been welcomed as a success by its joint organisers, the BPI and the Entertainment Retailers Association, with the impact reflected in the Official Vinyl Charts, the Official Album Charts and sales overall as well as across media and socials.
Presented in association with audio partner Bowers & Wilkins and broadcast partner BBC Sounds, National Album Day honours the art of the album, and this year celebrated Women in Music and the important contribution they make to the album format.
Based on Official Album Charts midweeks, vinyl LP sales on Saturday 16 October were up by just over a third (34% )on the previous Saturday 9 October (and by 44% if you compare the two New Music Fridays). CD sales were up 31% on the Saturday, and 83% on Friday, with Coldplay’s ‘Music of the Spheres’ very much the frontrunner.
Leading the charge for National Album Day releases, with a current Top-20 place in the Official Album Chart, is the Kylie Minogue Fever album – reissued on white vinyl to mark its 20th anniversary. The album is one of three titles (including Amy Winehouse’s Back To Black and Garbage’s Garbage) in the Official Chart midweek Top 40 that have been reissued to coincide with this year’s National Album Day, and one of six in the current Top-200. Additionally in the overall Official Album Chart there are three Adele albums in the Top-20 following the release of the single Easy On Me and the news that her long-awaited fourth album 30 is due out on 19 November, while National Album Day Ambassador Joy Crookes looks like enjoying a Top-10 debut with her album Skin.
In the Official Vinyl Chart there are four titles in the Top-10 reissued or released to coincide with National Album Day – Kylie Minogue’s Fever, Garbage’s Garbage, Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and Dido’s White Flag, and 16 in the top 40, including Mariah Carey’s Emotions, Kirsty MacColl’s Tropical Brainstorm, Siouxsie and the Banshees’ Tinderbox and Katie Melua’s Ultimate Collection.
National Album Day spokesperson said: “It’s great to see National Album Day continue to grow as a national event that increasingly resonates culturally and commercially. Supported by an annual theme that creates a point of focus – this year celebrating Women in Music – the day aims to foster a conversation around the art of the album and its continuing importance to artists who love to tell their stories through the format.
“Our sincere thanks go to everyone that enthusiastically supported National Album Day this year: our partners Bowers & Wilkins and BBC Sounds; our wonderful ambassadors and their teams, artists and the fans; the record labels, distributors, retailers and digital services; album platforms including Tim’s Twitter Listening Parties and Classic Album Sundays; and PPL, Landmrk, Diabolical Media and our other supporters across the industry.”
Engagement around the event was led by Artist Ambassadors Joy Crookes, Kylie Minogue, Laura Mvula, Ray BLK, and Sharleen Spiteri, and was supported by industry partners and album platforms including Tim’s Twitter Listening Parties and Classic Album Sundays as well as by PPL research that revealed P!nk to be the most played female artist in the UK this century.
BBC Sounds gave enthusiastic backing across their national and local radio network, with BBC Radio 2dedicating their whole day to album tracks by women with an all-female playlist from Sounds of the 60sall the way through to Craig Charles’ House Party. Additionally, a special show presented by Jo Whiley counted down the top-10 all-time biggest selling albums by women, headed by Adele’s 21, as compiled by the Official Charts Company.
In an exclusive ‘Album Hunt’ activation in collaboration with Landmrk, music fans were invited to go on a trail focusing on 10 iconic albums by women artists, including Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, Solange’s A Seat at The Table and Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia. The trail of 10 albums was available at multiple locations throughout the UK, with the hotspots outlined on a map via albumhunt.co.uk, which will be promoted via social media along with outdoor billboards courtesy of the agency Diabolical. At each hotspot, exclusive content on each album could be unlocked with an opportunity to enter a competition to win a National Album Day bundle, featuring a Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge and vinyl.
Finally fans were able to join in the National Album Day fun by heading to their favourite indie store, specialist retailer or digital service to explore a selection of new albums, boxsets and classic reissuesincluding: Stevie Nicks, Donna Summer, HAIM, Eva Cassidy, Roisin Murphy, Patti Smith, Solange, Lykkie Li and more.
NEWS & PRESS
IMPF launches 4th edition of Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing
IMPF has launched the fourth edition of the Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing.Available here and sponsored by Musixmatch, it is the only report that looks exclusively at the independent music publishing industry and its international impact and position....more
Sony Music Entertainment Germany launch new electronic music label 'noted. records'
The Berlin-based imprint will cater to electronic music artists globally First signing, Anfisa Letyago, to release new single today Sony Music Entertainment (SME) Germany announced today the launch of 'noted. records', a global electronic music label with a commitment to cultivating electronic and...more
AIMP Statement on Spotify's Music-Audiobook Bundle
The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) — including Michael Lau (National Chair and New York Chapter President), Marc Caruso (Los Angeles Chapter President), Ree Guyer (Nashville Chapter President), and Tony D. Alexander (Atlanta Chapter President) — issued the below statement on...more
6 new publishers elected to IMPF Board
Rosa M. Vizcaíno Gómez, Emily Stephenson, Claudia Mescoli, Cecilia Léon Rodrigo, Tatjana Bukvić and Denise Andrikopoulou newly elected at organisation’s 2024 General Assembly. IMPF (Independent Music Publishers International Forum) has elected a new College of members to its Board at the organisation’s...more
IMS Business Report 2024
Dance Music industry now firmly in its post-pandemic growth phase with 17% revenue growth in 2023 and a total industry valuation reaching $11.8 billion.Independent labels increased their market share for the fourth consecutive quarter, reaching 31%.The annual study of the electronic...more
Pulse Music Group and hit songwriter/producer/artist Jon Bellion form publishing venture
First signing between Beautiful Mind & PULSE Music Group is Elijah Noll PULSE Music Group Co-CEO’s Scott Cutler and Josh Abraham along with President/Head of Creative, Ashley Calhoun announced today that they have formed a music publishing creative joint venture...more
Record Store Day, The Music Business Association and Luminate announce new partnership regarding physical music sales data across independent retail sector in the US
Luminate Now Receiving Independent Sales Data from StreetPulse Billboard Rebranding “Tastemaker Albums” Chart To Better Recognize Impact of Independent Store Sales Today, Coalition of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), Alliance of Independent Media Stores (AIMS), and Department of Record Stores (DORS), who work together as Record Store Day, The Music Business Association,...more
Absolue inks deal with Capitol Records Italy for Jack Savoretti album
Absolute Label Services will handle release of Savoretti’s first ever Italian language LP in UK & Ireland. Absolute Label Services has agreed a deal with Universal/Capitol Records Italy for the release of Jack Savoretti’s first ever Italian language album. The deal covers...more
Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music opens at the British Library
Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music opens at the British Library First exhibition to document the 500-year musical journey of African and Caribbean people in Britain opens at the British Library and in local libraries across the UK Soul...more
YolanDa Brown OBE DL becomes University of Kent’s new chancellor
The University of Kent is delighted to announce that double-MOBO winning musician and broadcaster YolanDa Brown OBE DL has been appointed to the role of Chancellor, succeeding Gavin Esler who has retired from the position after almost 10 years in the role. Having...more
Festivals unite to extend fundraising prize draw closing date
WIN TICKETS TO OVER 60 OF THE UK & EUROPE’S MOST BELOVED FESTIVALS IN SUPPORT OF WAR CHILD AND MAP BOOMTOWN, LOVE SAVES THE DAY, PARKLIFE, ALL POINTS EAST, TRUCK, THE LONG ROAD, WIDE AWAKE AND MANY MORE OVER £10,000 RAISED SO...more
Concord Music Publishing extends agreement with Jeremy Lutito, signs Jon Class under new JV partnership
Today, Concord Music Publishing announced that they have extended and expanded their existing agreement with GRAMMY-nominated producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Lutito. This worldwide publishing deal, effective immediately, includes Lutito’s full catalog and all future works and launches a new joint venture partnership, Mezzanine,...more
TuneCore Expands Music Publishing Services and User Experience to Aid Independent Songwriters
TuneCore, the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists—owned by Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies—has rolled out a comprehensive suite of music publishing services to help independent songwriters increase their earnings in over 200 countries. Andreea Gleeson,...more
Radio 2 in the Park 2024Â to land in Preston
Radio 2’s flagship annual live music event, Radio 2 in the Park, will take place this year in Moor Park in Preston, Lancashire on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September, as revealed this morning by Gaby Roslin on the Radio...more
Como No – The UK’s Leading Latin Music Promoter – Announces New Director Amid Major Changes To Organisational Structure
Elena Beltrami is appointed as new Director of Como No & La Linea Festival as Founder Andy Wood steps back and becomes a Non-Executive board member Como No, one of the world’s foremost Latin music promoters, today announces a significant change...more
Liana Flores signs to Verve (US) and partners with Fiction (UK)
Releases highly anticipated new song ‘I Wish For The Rain’ Today, British-Brazilian artist Liana Flores is proud to announce that she is now signed to the iconic Verve Records (The Velvet Underground, Astrud Gilberto Kurt Vile, Arooj Aftab). Fiction Records (The...more
Amazon Music returns to Primavera Sound to exclusively livestream the festival to audiences around the world
Amazon Music and Primavera Sound join forces for the third consecutive year Music fans around the world will be able to tune in to the event from 30th May – 1st June Primavera Sound will be broadcast in Spanish and English on the Amazon...more
Black Lives in Music - Government ‘Falling Short’ in Helping to Protect Women in the Music Industry
UK Government ‘Falling Short’ in Helping to Protect Women in the Music Industry Harassment and Discrimination Allowed to Continue After Government Rejects Recommendations of the Misogyny in Music Report BLiM & CIISA amd more respond to the Government’s inaction CIISA cite BLiM's new...more
Symphonic Distribution Hires Stephen Nightingale to Lead A&R and Business in Canada
Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has hired music industry veteran Stephen Nightingale as Vice President, A&R and Business Development, Canada. Reporting to Symphonic’s Chief Creative Officer, Randall Foster, Nightingale will bring his...more
Rock icon Dan P Carter joins Spinefarm as Director of Artist Development
Key appointments also made across UK Marketing Team Spinefarm Music Group, one of the most successful and best-known rock labels in the world, has announced a major global hire alongside a new UK marketing team. Dan P Carter, the longtime curator of...more
Park Avenue Artists Expands Booking Division
New York multihyphenate agency signs new talent, brings on booking co-director in ongoing push to create a new model for arts agencies and management. Park Avenue Artists has expanded both its artist roster and its executive team in its booking division....more
Meet Unisound: The ultimate matchmaker between sample buyers and sellers
The market for sample packs is more saturated than ever–forcing modern sample libraries to make and market their sounds and leaving buyers to sift through endless sounds to find exactly what they are looking for. That’s why Unisound created a platform that lets...more
Universal Music France and Binetou Sylla, founder of leading independent label Wèrè Wèrè Music partner to lead Def Jam Africa across French-speaking Africa
Universal Music France and producer Binetou Sylla form strategic relationship to lead Def Jam Africa, focusing on further developing French-speaking regional artists globally Universal Music France (UMF), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today...more
BPI CEO calls on music industry and government to unite around 5 key priorities to support human artistry and sustainably promote British music
Focus on talent & education, fan engagement & innovation; and sustainability; Keynotes from Ed Newton-Rex, Fay Milton, Louis VI, and Thangam Debbonaire MP, Shadow Secretary of State for DCMS. Panel contributions including by Rebecca Allen (EMI Records), Elton Jackson (Sony Music UK), Vabyanti Endrojono-Ellis...more
The Independent and Music Venue Trust launch major new initiative to support UK grassroots music venues
Main Stage will be led by Music Editor Roisin O’Connor alongside the Music Venue Trust 12 venues around the UK to be recognised over the next yearEach venue to receive editorial coverage and a free ad campaign on The Independent The Independent...more
Sony Music Publishing Nashville Signs Randall King to Global Deal
Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the signing of West Texas native Randall King, celebrated by Holler as “the genre's neo-traditional figurehead,” to a global publishing agreement. King has emerged as one of today’s most promising new voices in country music, amassing over...more
Nominations announced for the Ivors with Amazon Music 2024
Sampha and Yussef Dayes lead the way with two nominations each Composer Daniel Pemberton also receives two nominations across the screen categories RAYE, CMAT, Yussef Dayes, Lankum and Sampha in the running for Best Album Jungle, The Japanese House, Jazzy and Kenya Grace...more
The Great Escape announces full conference line-up and schedule
NEW SPEAKERS INCLUDE WIRE'S COLIN NEWMAN, IZZY BEE PHILLIPS (BLACK HONEY) AND APPLE MUSIC HOST DOTTY Today The Great Escape has announced the full line-up and schedule for its UK-leading music industry conference, returning to Brighton from Wednesday 15th to Saturday...more
FAC boost their community with 20 new Artist Ambassadors
FAC boost their community with 20 new Artist Ambassadors including Duran Duran, Nia Archives, Girli, Elkka, English Teacher, Guvna B, OneDa and Alt-J's Gus Unger-Hamilton The new cohort means more than 140 artists have agreed to act as Ambassadors for the...more
Fairground Attraction partners with Absolute for first album in 35 years
The band’s 1988 hit Perfect was a chart topper in the UK and around the globe. Eighties neo-skiffle band Fairground Attraction have partnered with Absolute Label Services after reuniting for the first time in 35 years. Absolute will power the marketing, promotion,...more
THE HEADLINES
Spotify talks growth, bundle royalties and short-video plans (see Digital)
BPI CEO calls on music industry and government to unite around 5 key priorities to support human artistry and sustainably promote British music (see News)
Hipgnosis Song Management fires back at Songs Fund board (see Business)
Blackstone bid for Hipgnosis receives backing from board (see Business)
Taylor Swift’s new album breaks Spotify records (see News)
Independence - what’s up with that BPI press release about 2023 music consumption? (see Comment)
Creator Remuneration Working Group meet for the first time (see News)
Concord's takeover of Hipgnosis (see Analysis)
Concord set to acquire Hipgnosis Songs Fund (see Business)
Is the music industry gaslighting artists? (see Comment)
BPI’s new Yearbook highlights an independent sector growing for a sixth consecutive year (see Reports)
Can’t cross the moat? Walk around it. (see Comment)
The conversation around Fandom needs to change (see Opinion)
Viagogo: Carrying on ticketing, despite the controversy (see News)