UK returning artists at No.1 boosted consumption for week one results on the albums chart

The narrative around British music has been negative in recent months with domestic acts crowded out of the top of the singles charts by US stars.

Returning UK artists put in a strong performance in 2024 with the majority of chart-toppers making gains in week one compared to their previous entry. Artists teams’ targeting of fans has been paying off in week one. For the whole market, overall physical sales registered their first year-on-year increase in two decades, while vinyl sales were up again (9.1% increase in units).

UK returning artists at No.1 who saw a boost in week one sales for a new album this year include Shed Seven (twice), D-Block Europe, James Arthur, Idles, Rod Stewart, James, Beabadoobee, Dua Lipa, Blossoms, Coldplay, Charli XCX, The Cure and Michael Ball & Alfie Boe.

Shed Seven had two No.1s with label Cooking Vinyl, both of which improved upon their previous result.

“Labels, distributors and artists have woken up and are now all adopting proactive pre-order campaigns that are targeted across a band’s entire audience,” said Cooking Vinyl MD Rob Collins. “This allows for multiple formats, limited editions, signed copies, in-stores, out-stores and exclusive ticket access. If you know the audience and you have a proactive band on socials who are willing to put the graft in, then you can build a strategy over four to six months that drives a large pre-order.”

Read the full article on Music Week here