First of all, the good news.
The UK recorded music market had another strong quarter this year, according to exclusive data from BPI and the Official Charts Company.
But it has a sting in its tail. It means the charts continue to be squeezed for British talent. No British talent has been included in the top 10 singles year-to-date. American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan became No. 1 with “Stick Season” (sales of 1,716,112 copies in 2024, total sales of 2,270,030 copies). For the third quarter, Mile Smith’s Stargazing (748,024 units) was the only UK entry in the quarter’s overall top 10.
Overall consumer album equivalent sales (AES) for the third quarter increased 10.2% year over year to 48,669,682 units. Year to date, year-over-year growth is just under 10% (9.9% – 147,218,108 units).
Streaming consumption increased 11.4% in the third quarter. This is consistent with an 11.2% increase in streaming consumption through 2024.
Back in the summer, Music Week spoke about the scale of the invasion of the US charts that had kept British talent out of the upper echelons of the charts, at least until Charli XCX, Chase & Status and Stormzy restored honor to domestic talent. Reported.
British-signed Irish singer-songwriter Hozier also attended Too Sweet’s Singles Summit for a week. But otherwise, the singles chart has been dominated by American talent for 35 out of 40 weeks (another week featured Billie Eilish alongside Charli XCX). Sabrina Carpenter accounts for just over half of the US total (18 weeks).
The impact on domestic talent can also be seen in the singles top five, which lacks British stars. Miles Smith, Central Sea, Dua Lipa, Artemus, Casso (along with Ray & D Block Europe), Bl3ss, Camryn Watson & Beeby Claus join Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Stormzy in the top 5 this year He is the only British artist to have entered the competition. Current (non-catalog) release.
BPI chief executive Dr Joe Twist recently told Music Week about the chart squeeze: Of course, reaching No. 1 remains an important sign of success and something we all as an industry should rightly celebrate, but it’s much more than that. Given how streaming is currently impacting music discovery and consumption, we must equally recognize that success can be: It has to be built over a much longer period of time to become just as meaningful. ”
It’s certainly true that British artists can make an impact on streaming without being in the UK top five. Rudimental has only been in the top 10 for a week, but has managed to become the 29th biggest single of the year so far (571,006 units in 2024).
With the right approach and support, we can maintain our proud track record of developing world-class artists.
Dr. Joe Twist
But now that the rest of the world is strengthening its repertoire, Britain seems less attached to the so-called “glocalization” trend.
“We share many of our linguistic and musical cultural traditions with other major English-speaking markets, particularly the United States and Canada. So inevitably in our case there will be even greater cross-pollination and cultural overlap. “It will be,” Twist suggested.
And while there are no leading British album releases in the overall top 10 this year, catalog titles from Fleetwood Mac, Oasis and Elton John are included. Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Division” leads the pack with 667,452 units as of the end of the third quarter (Week 39).
The two current UK albums that made the year-to-date Top 40 in the third quarter were Charl XCX’s Brat (No. 20, 156,810 units) and Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism (No. 31, 122,664 units). ) is included. The Last Dinner Party ranks 67th overall in 2024, along with Prelude to Ecstasy (82,404 units).
Of course, domestic charts are only part of the global picture, and the UK remains one of the few net exporters of music, despite increasing competition.
“With the right approach and support, we can maintain our proud track record of developing world-class artists,” Twist said. “We have incredible skills and talent in this country, not just front-line artists but also producers, technicians and other creators behind the microphone. And we have incredible skills and talent in the industry. We are constantly innovating and harnessing the power of new technology to create more options for fans and artists alike in the way they make, discover, share and enjoy music. ”
British stars who have made a strong impression on the US and international charts this year include Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Central Sea, Artemus and Miles Smith.
“But action is needed,” Twist said. “In particular, we need support to further create an environment where UK record labels and the wider recorded music sector in the country can grow and where investment in new talent is valued. , in terms of taking significant risks.”
The BPI chief urged the UK’s copyright framework to be defended amid the threat of AI, and said that at a time when streaming remuneration was still being debated by policymakers, there was no “wrongful move that would undermine our finely tuned music ecosystem”. He warned about “regulations”.
He also called for further strengthening of “assistance to help increase our share of global exports,” and BPI urges the government to expand the MEGS system to boost our talent pool globally. It’s planned.
The challenge for domestic artists, of course, comes at a time when both major labels Universal Music and Warner Music are undergoing overhauls as part of their global plans.
“Like any organization, record labels need to remain relevant and successful, maximize their goals, and serve the needs of those they work with (in this case the artists) and their stakeholders as effectively as possible. “We need to evolve because of this,” Twist said. . “They are also investing in digital systems and adapting their businesses to support artists in a multi-platform, global environment. We do not intend to comment on what should or should not be done, but we know that artists remain at the center of everything we do, as always.”
Click here to hear AIM Interim CEO Gee Davey talk about what it takes for UK artists and labels to succeed in the face of increasing global competition.
