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U.K. recorded music consumption rose 4.3% in 2022, according to research by the BPI. In a historic feat, British artists accounted for the entire year-end singles Top 10.
Last year, 166.1m albums or their equivalent were streamed or purchased in the U.K., marking an eighth consecutive annual rise. Streaming equivalent albums made up 86.1% of the market, up 8.1% year-on-year.
Physical albums dropped 13.1% to count for a 10.4% share; while vinyl rose 2.9% to 5.5m, CDs dropped 19.3% to 11.6m. Digital downloads dropped 18.9% to 3.7m and a 2.2% share.
The dominance of British artists in the end-of-year Top 10 Official Singles Chart is the first time that’s happened since charts were published more than 50 years ago, according to BPI research. Harry Styles’ “As It Was” (Columbia) was the best-selling single of the year, followed by releases from Ed Sheeran, Fireboy DML and Cat Burns.
The Top 10 biggest albums of 2022 feature four and a half (to count for Fleetwood Mac) British artists, with Styles topping the list with Harry’s House. Other Brits with releases in the chart include Sheeran, Elton John and Little Mix.
Independent labels grew their market share for a fifth year in a row in 2022, rising to 28.6% from 26.9% in 2021. That’s thanks in part to chart-topping albums from 5 Seconds of Summer, The 1975, Central Cee and Wet Leg.