UK Trade Authority BPI released statistics this week showing the growing share of the UK independent sector last year.
According to the BPI report, the share of UK collective music consumption by independent labels will increase to 26.9% in 2021, up from 25.9% in 2020.
Meanwhile, indie labels’ share of artist album sales has grown from 30.4% in 2019 to 34.2% in 2021, while indie’s share of the UK vinyl market reaches 39.5% last year, up from 33.9% in 2019.
BPI reports that its analysis, based on Official Charting Company data and get from it All about music 2022 annual yearbook, shows that “independent release music is thriving” in the UK.
And that’s right.
However, scratch below the surface, and nothing hides the impact that unlimited releases/categories have on these numbers… not to mention the total blockbuster marketing spend demand of a major record company (Music by Sony) above Adele in 2021.
According to BPI’s statistics, out of the 5 best albums in 2021, 3 (60%) were released at least 6 years ago.
The UK’s #1 indie album (in terms of sales and streaming) for 2021 is shining, fifth album released in 2013 by British rock superstar Arctic Monkeys (Dominoes).
Arctic Monkeys hasn’t released an album since 2018 Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.
The second best selling independent album in the UK in 2021 is released by XL Recordings 25The blockbuster third album by British superstar Adele, released in 2015.
(XL has the rights to Adele’s first three albums globally outside of North and South America, where they passed on to Sony Music.)
Adele’s second album, 21is the 5th best-selling indie album of 2021.
It was released in the UK by XL over a decade ago in 2011, topping the charts in more than 30 countries and becoming the world’s best-selling album of the year for both 2011 and 2012.
Adele’s latest album, 30, was contracted globally with Sony Music and received a huge global marketing campaign from the major company in the fourth quarter of last year. That marketing campaign boosted awareness of Adele, with her back catalog benefiting from this sale.
Indeed, in a press release issued by the BPI, the UK organization said that Adele’s 21 and 25, released in 2011 and 2015, respectively, “created the success of [independent] industry” by 2021.
Only two of last year’s top 5 UK independent albums were released in 2021: KSI’s Everywhere (BMGin 3rd place) and Central Cee’s Wild West (Central Cee, in 4th place).
At number six was another release of Arctic Monkeys, their debut album, Whatever people say I am (That’s what I’m not), (Domino Recordings), released 16 years ago, in 2006.
The rest of the BPI Top 10 best performing indie albums chart is occupied by releases from 2021: Wolf Alice’s Third Album Blue Weekend (Dirty hits) at number 7, Bo Burnham’s tragi comedy album Inside (Songs) (Imperial) at number 8, and AJ Tracey’s second album, Flu game (Revenge Records), in 10th place.
Sitting in 9th place is Back The Way We Came Vol.1 (Sour Mash), a compilation album from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, was released in 2021, but includes songs released between 2011-2021.
Only one of the 10 best performing indie albums in the UK last year, Central Cee’s Wild West, is a debut album released in 2021.
Official Independent Album Chart 2021 Top 10 © Company Official Ranking
- arctic monkey, shining (Domino recording)
- Adele, 25 (XL Record)
- KSI, Everywhere (BMG)
- Central Cee, Wild West (CentralCee)
- Adele, 21 (XL Record)
- arctic monkey,Whatever people say I am (That’s what I’m not) (Domino Recordings)
- Wolf Alice, Blue Weekend (dirty hits)
- Bo Burnham, Inside (Songs) (Of internal)
- The High Flying Birds by Noel Gallagher, Back The Way We Came Vol.1 (Sour Mash)
- AJ Tracey, Flu game (Revenge Records)
Catalog’s dominance of last year’s biggest indie hits in the UK wasn’t limited to albums either.
A look at the Top 10 best independent activities single person in the UK in 2021, newly released BPI statistics reveal that 50% of them were published at least six years ago.
In fact, three out of 10, including the hit single XL Recordings released by Adele in 2011 Roll into the deep (Number 9) and Someone just like you (No.3), as well as Passenger .’s 2012 hit Let her go (No. 10) (Nettwerk) was released at least a decade ago.
Arctic Monkeys has also made the list of the top 10 best-selling indie singles of 2021, including Do I want to know? and Why you just call me when you’re in the mood (Domino Recordings), both from their 2013 album AM, and peaked at number six and seven, respectively.
Last year’s UK top performing indie single was by KSI Day off (BMG) and the second best-selling single is by Tom Zanetti Do not know (SIC), both released in 2021.
Central Cee’s single Commitment issues and Loading was the fourth and fifth best performing indie singles in the UK last year (see below).
Official Independent Singles Chart 2021 Top 10 © Company Official Ranking
- KSI, Day off (BMG)
- Tom Zanetti, Do not know (SIC)
- Adele, Someone just like you (XL Record)
- CentralCee, Commitment issues (CentralCee)
- Central Cee, Loading (CentralCee)
- arctic monkey, Do I want to know? (Domino recording)
- arctic monkey, Why you just call me when you’re in the mood (Domino recording)
- Shouse, Love tonight (Onelove record)
- Adele, Roll into the deep (XL Record)
- Passenger, Let her go (Nettwerk)
Geoff TaylorBPI CEO, BRIT Awards & Mercury Prize, said: “The UK has an enviable independent music scene, while enhancing selection and diversity for new and existing British talent. .
“The UK has an enviable independent music scene and enhances selection and diversity for new and existing British talent.”
Geoff Taylor BPI, BRIT Award & Mercury Prize
“This continued growth proves that indie labels and artists are thriving in the age of music streaming and particularly successful in the vinyl renaissance.
“We are delighted to see the indie sector evolving from strength to strength, contributing to the growth of the UK music industry as a whole.”
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