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Breakthrough artist Lewis Capaldi’s debut album — Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent — is now officially the biggest selling album of 2019 in the UK. The album sold over 89,000 combined units, outselling the entire week’s Top 10 albums combined, making it the biggest selling UK debut week 1 album of the year ahead of Ariana Grande, and even beating record sales for Adele’s ‘19’. The album has also broken streaming records, securing over 25 million week 1 streams, making Capaldi the top streaming debut album artist ever in the UK. Cumulative global streams of all Capaldi’s songs are approaching one billion worldwide.

The album includes the 22-year-old Scottish singer-songwriter’s breakout single, “Someone You Loved” which has shattered records throughout Europe and just ended a nearly unprecedented seven straight week run at #1 on the UK charts. Capaldi now holds three spots on the UK Top 10 chart with “Someone You Loved” (#3) “Hold Me While You Wait,” (#5) and “Grace,” (#9).

On receiving the record-breaking news, Capaldi said, “I have the number one album in the UK and it’s not only the fastest selling album of the year, but also the biggest debut of the year. I cannot wait to tell my mother because maybe then she’ll be able to look me in the eyes. Thank you so much for going out and buying it and making the album this massive.” He continues, “This is mad man. I’m quite glad I’ll be able to stave off unemployment for at least two years, I think, so thank you very much for keeping me employed. It looks like I won’t be getting dropped by the record label just yet either. All joking aside, thank you so much - this is wild!"

Recorded over an 18-month period in London, New York and Los Angeles, Capaldi co-wrote each of the album’s 12 songs, working with Malay who also produced, (Frank Ocean, Sam Smith Lorde) Jamie Hartman (Calvin Harris, Rag N Bone Man) and TMS (Niall Horan, Maroon 5, Little Mix). Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent is an ironically titled, but charismatically defining album that’s lyrically candid and a realistic snapshot of the ups and downs of growing up. Capaldi’s stunningly identifiable voice, coupled with its turbulent themes of love, loss and heartache, make it a debut album that is unequivocally relatable.

Capaldi recently announced his second North American tour of 2019. Kicking off with a trio of shows in Texas, the headline run will also include concerts at First Avenue in Minneapolis (October 3), Brooklyn Steel in New York (October 11) and the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC (October 12). All dates can be found here. The fall outing will find Capaldi playing larger venues than those he will visit on his summer run, which had already sold out, prompting him to upgrade venues in Seattle and Portland, both due to phenomenal demand. His March 2020 tour of the UK and Ireland recently sold out in mere seconds, making him the first artist in history to sell out arenas prior to the release of a debut album. He will perform for upwards of 100,000 people on the run, which includes a show at the SSE Arena Wembley in London and two nights at 3Arena in Dublin. He will also tour with both Ed Sheeran and The Killers in the UK this summer.

Capaldi was hailed as a 2018 Vevo DSCVR Artist To Watch, longlisted for the BBC Sound Of 2018 Poll, and won Breakthrough Artist of the Year honors at the Scottish Music Awards. Capaldi was nominated for the BRIT Awards Critics’ Choice award and named an MTV UK PUSH Ones To Watch artist. He has toured with Rag’n’Bone Man, Niall Horan, and Sam Smith, and performed at such festivals as Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Firefly, Mountain Jam, Splendour in the Grass, Fuji, and Osheaga.

15 May 2025 | Press release

Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp shares his concerns with the state of touring and how labels 'rely on artist's social media' to sell them

Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp shares his concerns with the state of touring and how labels 'rely on artist's social media' to sell them, in a new podcast released today   Following on from the successful launch of his new album ‘The Destination’,...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

Music Venue Properties announce second community share offering to purchase iconic UK grassroots music venues under its 'Own Our Venues' initiative

Esquires in Bedford, Stoke-on-Trent’s The Sugarmill & Southampton’s The Joiners among venues included in new acquisition plans  Music Venue Properties (MVP), the pioneering Charitable Community Benefit Society created by Music Venue Trust (MVT), has announced the launch of the next phase...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

Artist applications open today for the 2025 FAC Step Up Fund supported by Amazon Music

  This year’s fund will support the creative projects of 10 developing independent acts with grants of up to £8,000 More than 30 artists have benefitted from Step Up funding since 2022 Today’s announcement coincides with The Great Escape, where the Featured Artists...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

Heart becomes the UK's biggest radio brand reaching a phenomenal 13.4 million weekly listeners

Heart brand celebrates its highest ever listening figures beating Radio 2 for the first time ever A record-breaking set of listening figures for Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden Overall, Global celebrates record share of 27.3% - the UK’s biggest commercial radio...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

DDEX Announces BMAT As Newest Charter Member

  DDEX, the international standards-setting organization dedicated to improving the exchange of data and information across the music industry, has announced BMAT Music Innovators, the Barcelona-based company, will become a DDEX Charter Member from June 1. BMAT becomes the newest Charter...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

UK Festivals Unite in War Child fundraiser

46 of the UK’s best festivals put tickets up for grabs including Boomtown, Love Saves The Day, Isle of Wight, Reading & Leeds and Shambala Donations link here. Children don’t start wars — yet nearly 1 in 5 children around the world are...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

The South Asian Soundcheck calls for UK music industry support

New survey will provide the first detailed data on the South Asian experience in UK music Take the survey   Lila, the non-profit initiative empowering South Asians in the UK music industry, has launched The South Asian Soundcheck, a new survey, supported by major industry bodies including UK Music, British...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

Musical AI and Pro Sound Effects Partner to Create Licensed Datasets for AI Training

  Pro Sound Effects (PSE) has been the entertainment industry’s go-to source for high-quality sounds for decades, serving every major name in TV, film, and gaming. Now, the company is teaming up with Musical AI, the AI rights management platform, to...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

Electronic Music Sector Unites to Demand Action At Landmark Parliamentary Committee Event

  On 14 May, the UK’s electronic music industry delivered an unprecedented show of unity and urgency as sector leaders from artists to club owners came together to meet with Parliament’s Culture Committee. The sector called unequivocally for Government action to prevent...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

The Radio Academy announces winners for The ARIAS 2025

The Radio Academy ARIAS returned tonight at the exciting new venue in Leicester Square, as Clara Amfo and Gok Wan MBE, took to the stage at ODEON Luxe, to host the most prestigious night in UK audio. The winners of 23 awards were...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

LIDO and ELAM extend their partnership with a dynamic new programme supporting young students

LIDO is contributing to the future of UK live music From mentorships, internships, work experience, masterclasses and more… Lido Festival, Victoria Park Visit LIDOFESTIVAL.CO.UK    LIDO Festival, the newest addition to London’s summer calendar, is proud to announce an extended partnership with East London Arts...more

15 May 2025 | Press release

RAJAR results Q1 2025: Bauer Media Audio UK celebrates 23.4m weekly listeners

The first quarter of 2025 showcased another set of impressive listening results for Bauer Media Audio UK. As Bauer Media Group marks its 150th year, the results show that Bauer stations reach an amazing 23.4m weekly listeners. Standout performances this quarter, include: Hits...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

Armada Music Group Names Maarten Steinkamp as Interim President

Former chairman and CEO of Sony BMG Europe will support Armada’s burgeoning growth in newly formed position   Armada Music Group, the parent company of Armada Music, BEAT Music Fund, and Armada Music Publishing, today announced the appointment of Maarten Steinkemp as...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

Don't stop believin' in CDs: Gen Alpha dig physical music too

Vinyl and CDs continue to live on with nearly half of Gen A listening to physical music records   Survey conducted by Key Production reveals that nearly half of Generation Alpha listen to CDs and they know how to use CD and...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

Wales' oldest record label tunes into tomorrow as new CEO steps up at Sain

Kev Tame has been announced as the new chief executive of Sain. A native of Waunfawr, Tame has been behind a range of exciting new projects at Wales’ oldest record label over the past 18 months and has now taken on...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Group and Apple Music announce Sound Therapy

The collection leverages cognitive science and UMG’s roster of global superstars, adding subtle auditory beats to well-known curated tracks, aiming to help listeners focus, relax, and sleep Apple Music is joining forces with Universal Music Group (UMG) to introduce Sound Therapy, an...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

Sonar 2025 cements its status as a one-of-a-kind festival with nearly 150 premieres, co-productions, and exclusives, sparking both dancing and discovery

  Sónar Week once again turns Barcelona into the international epicenter of electronic and digital culture, with more than 200 events and projects presented in collaboration with leading artistic, scientific and technological institutions.  Sónar 2025 presents an agenda-setting lineup with exclusive premieres such as Grasa, the...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

Official Charts Company agrees new deal with Kantar

Relationship extends into a fifth decade New state-of-the-art music data platform under construction   The Official Charts Company has inked a brand-new deal with technical support partner Kantar extending their relationship into a fifth decade. The new contract will see the two companies continue...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

UK and EU Music Industry Chiefs Join Forces to Urge Political Leaders to Tear Down Barriers to Touring the EU

Musicians and industry leaders from the UK and Europe have joined forces to demand urgent action to remove the barriers to touring across the EU.    They are warning political leaders that the current arrangements for UK acts touring the EU and...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

Live Nation makes record investment in emerging talent through The Great Escape Festival 2025

The Great Escape (TGE), the UK's leading new music festival, returns to Brighton this week with a record-breaking lineup of over 550 emerging artists from around the world and 750 performances. Performances will take place in more than 30 intimate venues across the city – the...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

adidas and Co-op Live lead a new era in music through launch of adidas Originals Recording Studio, engineered by Abbey Road

  adidas, Co-op Live and Abbey Road Studios reveal a first-of-its-kind Recording Studio within Manchester’s acclaimed Co-op Live arena  The adidas Originals Recording Studio will be open to the adidas Originals community, supporting young creative talent through collaborations with Co-op Live, Abbey...more

14 May 2025 | Press release

UK trade mission aims to boost British music in Japan

Applications now being accepted for mission to Osaka & Tokyo in August 2025 Deadline for Application is 18th June 2025   A UK music industry trade mission to Japan is set to take place from 16th – 22nd August 2025, providing an open door for music businesses to explore...more

13 May 2025 | Press release

Curve Royalty Systems Launches New Payments Feature, Revolutionizing Royalty Accounting Payments

All-in-one Royalty Accounting and Payments Platform Supports Payees across 180+ Countries Downtown’s Royalties & Financial Services division today announced the launch of a powerful new payments feature from Curve Royalty Systems. The new feature gives labels, publishers and distributors the...more

13 May 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Group appoints Matt Ellis as Chief Financial Officer

Former Verizon CFO Brings Broad Experience Across Finance, Operations, Corporate Development and Financial Planning   Universal Music Group N.V. (EURONEXT:UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced that highly regarded global finance executive Matt Ellis has been named as UMG's Chief Financial...more

13 May 2025 | Press release

Aston Villa FC and Oak View Group Join Forces to Bring World-class Entertainment to West Midlands

Premier League club Aston Villa Football Club (AVFC) has teamed up with Oak View Group (OVG), global leaders in venue development, management, food & beverage, and sponsorship sales, to bring world-class music and live entertainment to The Warehouse – a newly developed...more

13 May 2025 | Press release

iluvlive marks 21st year with next chapter of growth - Kicking off with artist showcase at The Great Escape

iluvlive Presents: DeeRiginal, JERUB, Olympia Vitalis and STORRY Thursday 15th May, Dust, 77 East St, Brighton, 12:15 - 15:30More information and tickets here Respected live music and talent development not-for-profit organisation iluvlive has announced it will mark its 21st year under the stewardship of Managing Director Lauren...more

13 May 2025 | Press release

2024 results: Sacem establishes itself as a global digital player, protecting and promoting the development of creativity

- Sustained international growth with €749 million collected abroad, driven by digital, while collections in France remained stable at €852 million  - 510,000 authors, composers and music publishers receiving royalties worldwide, thanks to Sacem  - More than 3,600 projects supported, and thousands of authors,...more

13 May 2025 | Press release

Whitemoor announces new royalty services and expansion of music industry business management, helmed by Gareth Murfin and Laura May

  Whitemoor is renowned for working across the creative industries. The UK-based Founding Partners combine 45 years of experience. Clients include Bombay Bicycle Club, The Charlatans, Jon Shave. Whitemoor–trusted accountants for the creative industries–announces the expansion of its music industry services as Gareth Murfin...more

13 May 2025 | Press release

Creative titans and industry leaders urge the Prime Minister to support UK creativity and economic growth by enforcing copyright law

Over 400 top creatives, media and creative business leaders, and creative businesses have written to the Prime Minister, urging him to give Government support to proposals that would protect copyright in the age of AI. This comes ahead of a...more

13 May 2025 | Press release

London unites to champion the capital's grassroots music scene

●  New London Creates music campaign brings together industry leaders from across the capital to champion all aspects of London’s grassroots music scene ●  First ever specially-designed Grassroots Music Tube map created, featuring London’s music venues, iconic and contemporary artists,...more

14 May 2025

  • Data Bill returns to the Commons today for crucial vote (see News)

13 May 2025

  • Music discovery is not dead, just evolving (see Comment)

12 May 2025

  • The business fundamentals behind DSP's and what this means for music (see Comment)

  • Artists urge Prime Minister to rethink AI copyright plans (see News)

09 May 2025

  • Tariffs, tours, and trade wars: Why music investment won’t slow down (see Comment)

  • Unintended consequences – the year ahead for streaming (see Comment)

08 May 2025

  • Spotify’s latest update gives users more control over their listening experience (see Digital)

07 May 2025

  • Has music reached peak fragmentation? (see Analysis)

  • How LA is rebuilding the music industry after the fires (see Features)

06 May 2025

  • Ministers reconsider changes to UK copyright law ahead of vote (see News)

  • How Ticketmaster swallowed the live entertainment scene (see Features)

  • Spotify executive on why 'per-stream rate' is one of the most misleading metrics in music (see Opinion)

02 May 2025

  • BPI responds to government’s proposed amendments to the Data Bill related to AI and copyright (see News)

  • ‘AI and intellectual property — a pivotal moment for the UK’s creative industries’ (see Opinion)

30 Nov 1999

    01 May 2025

    • BPI's new Yearbook reveals Country music's surging popularity (see News)