Over a quarter of UK music comes from independent labels according to figures released by the BPI and AIM. In addition, the data, which is drawn from the BPI’s yearbook All About The Music 2021 and based on Official Charts Company data, shows that:
- UK independent labels’ share of music consumption across streaming and physical formats combined rose for a third successive year in 2020 to reach just under 26%
- Independent music businesses’ share of Streaming Equivalent Albums (SEAs) has grown over each of the past five years
- Independent music traditionally ‘punches above its weight’ in physical formats and remains a driving force in helping to achieve chart impact – a key factor in the success of independent labels in recent years.
This trend has continued into 2021 following the Q1 success of artists such as Mogwai (Rock Action Records), You Me At Six (AWAL) and Architects (Epitaph Records) achieving No.1 albums in the Official Albums Chart. Historically predominantly made up of labels, the independent sector’s growing market share now includes an increasing number of creative entrepreneurs, from DIY (Do-It-Yourself) and self-releasing artists to record labels and other release partners.
Independents excel across physical releases
While independent labels and their artists perform strongly on streaming services, they have played a particularly influential role in the resurgence of physical formats, with independents’ highest format share in 2020 coming on vinyl LP (35%). In the first three months of 2021 this rose still further as independent artists claimed nearly four in every 10 vinyl LPs purchased by the UK music-buying public (39.8%). Top-selling independent artists in 2020 included Kylie (Disco), Arctic Monkeys (Live At Royal Albert Hall), IDLES (Ultra Mono), Fontaines D.C. (A Hero’s Death), and Gerry Cinnamon (The Bonny). Over 250 independent titles sold over 1,000 copies on vinyl.
Independent labels and their artists also performed well on CD, claiming close to 30% of all sales of the format in 2020, rising to 32.5% in Q1 this year. Barry Gibb and Tom Jones (Surrounded By Time) achieved 81% of their total sales on CD.
The revival of cassettes in the independent sector continues with over 150,000 copies sold in 2020.
Strong independent performance on streaming services
Independent labels and artists accounted for a quarter (24.5%) of Streaming Equivalent Albums in 2020, their highest share yet, and got off to a very positive start of 25.8% in the first quarter of the new year. Independently-released tracks by artists such as AJ Tracey, Trevor Daniel and Endor were among the 100 most-played songs on audio streaming services in the UK in 2020, with independent artists such as Central Cee, KSI, BTS and Tom Zanetti placed in the top 100 for the year to date.
Independent labels enjoy chart success
Reflecting the highly competitive dynamic of the UK music industry, independent labels claimed four No.1 albums in the Official Albums Chart in 2020: BTS (Map of the Soul –7), Gerry Cinnamon (The Bonny), IDLES (Ultra Mono) and Kylie (Disco) – the biggest tally since 2017. An impressive 52 independent albums made the weekly Official Albums Chart Top 10 (again, the biggest number since 2017). This strong showing continued into Q1 2021, with three independent titles making it to No.1 – You Me At Six (Suckapunch), Mogwai (As The Love Continues) and Architects (For Those That Wish To Exist).
Strong physical share creates an advantage in the race for a No.1
Vinyl sales have now risen for a thirteenth successive year since their low point in 2007 – up 11.5% in 2020 with 4.8 million LP copies purchased. In Q1 2021 this trend accelerated still further, rising by 16% – a remarkable feat considering the restrictions imposed by lockdown but one that reflects how labels, stores, fans and artists came together online, backed by campaigns such as Love Record Stores, Record Store Day, and National Album Day.
