Vinyl sales and UK artists boomed in 2017
At its low point in 2007, just 205,000 vinyl LPs were sold.
Vinyl sales have continued to boom and are at their highest level since the start of the Nineties, figures on the UK music industry have revealed.
At their low point in 2007, just 205,000 vinyl LPs were sold.
The BPI (British Phonographic Industry) hailed 2017 as a strong year for British music.
Some 135.1 million albums or their equivalent were either streamed, purchased in physical format, and/or downloaded over the past 12 months, a 9.5% rise on 2016.
UK acts, including Ed Sheeran, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Sam Smith, Little Mix, Liam Gallagher, Michael Ball with Alfie Boe and Stormzy, accounted for eight of the top 10 best-selling artist albums in 2017.
Sheeran tops the album list, making it the 13th consecutive year that a UK artist has taken the number one spot.
BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor welcomed the figures but said changes were needed.
The UK needs to forge “an online environment that is safe for consumers and where illegal sites cannot flourish”, he added.
Taylor said: “Demand for music in the UK is growing fast, driven by brilliant British artists such as Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Rag‘n’Bone Man, Little Mix, Stormzy and Dua Lipa and the innovative music industry that supports them.
The 2017 figure for vinyl is the highest since 1991, when 3.8 million vinyl LPs were estimated to have been sold.
Almost one in 10 of all physical purchases are now on vinyl format.
Top 10 biggest albums of 2017 (Official Charts Company)
1. Ed Sheeran, Divide
2. Rag’n’Bone Man, Human
3. Sam Smith, The Thrill Of It All
4. Little Mix, Glory Days
5. Pink, Beautiful Trauma
6. Ed Sheeran, Multiply
7. Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Together Again
8. Drake, More Life
9. Liam Gallagher, As You Were
10. Stormzy, Gang Signs And Prayer
