Vinyl LPs in the UK have reached their highest sales level since 1990 with the continuing revival of physical music. Trade group, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), found that sales of LPs rose by 11.7% to 5.9 million units, increasing for the 16th year in a row. Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) was the best-selling LP, followed by the Rolling Stones’ Hackney Diamonds. Cassette sales also did well, topping 100,000 for a fourth consecutive year. Classic albums and reissues were among the top performers, including Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (Live At Wembley 1974).
The popularity of independent record stores and the rebirth of specialist music chain HMV also contributed to the increase in vinyl sales, according to the BPI. HMV re-opened its flagship shop on London’s Oxford Street in November 2022 after a four-year hiatus. However, streaming still accounted for more than 80% of all recorded music consumed. Fans appreciate vinyl as collectible and having better sound quality, which is why LPs are experiencing such a huge comeback.
Taylor Swift has three albums in the UK’s top 10 best-selling long-players of this year – 1989, Speak Now and Midnights. Speak Now and 1989 are both re-recordings part of an ongoing campaign to regain control of her work, after an investment company bought her master tapes in 2019. Last year, she told the BBC’s Graham Norton Show: “My first six albums were actually sold away from me and so I decided, I just figured if I made them the first time I can make them again.”
Vinyl fan Andy Smithson says the “visual aspect” of records is what draws him to them, even if the music is not enjoyable. “If the music is rubbish, you’re still left with a good piece of artwork,” he stated. “There’s nothing quite like a record in terms of quality. It’s a richer sound. Downloads just do not have the same appeal”.
While the decline in CD sales has begun to slow, BPI boss Dr Jo Twist said the uptick in cassette sales showed that “new generations of music fans” were falling in love with cassettes, thereby giving consumers more choice regarding how they enjoy their favourite tunes. Comments Twist, “Led by vinyl, the resurgence of physical product underlines the resilience of the UK music market at a time when streaming consumption continues to hit record levels”
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