BPI

British music is dominating the @officialcharts in 2026 🇬🇧 For the first time in over a decade, the first 11 Number 1 albums of the year have all come from British artists, with Harry Styles taking the baton today after landing a huge Official Chart Double. The chart-toppers so far: 🏆 Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving 🏆 @robbiewilliams - Britpop 🏆 @Louis_Tomlinson - How Did I Get Here? 🏆 @charli_xcx - Wuthering Heights 🏆 @MumfordAndSons - Prizefighter 🏆 @gorillaz - The Mountain 1️⃣ @Harry_Styles - Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally. BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE: "This phenomenal 11-week run of Number 1s by British artists in the Official Albums Chart is just the latest evidence of what an incredibly exciting time it is for British music right now, coming hot on the heels of a triumphant BRIT Awards and major UK successes at the GRAMMYs. 2026’s chart successes from UK artists reflect long term record label support across many stages of artist development, ranging from established superstar acts like Robbie Williams and recent global breakthroughs led by Olivia Dean, to such contemporary icons as Harry Styles. With further major releases and music moments to come in 2026, we can look ahead with a genuine sense of optimism." Homegrown talent is back on top and running the show so far this year 👑 More here: bpi.co.uk/news/13100239

British artists take Austin! 🇬🇧✈️🇺🇸 The @britishmusicbiz returned to SXSW 2026 in Austin last week with over 60 of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists performing across 10 showcases in 7 days. From Northern Sound and DBT Wales' celebrations of artists from Northern England and Wales, to @thehappaningapp and Kolt app's Notting Hill Carnival-inspired takeover of Sixth Street, and a three-night @bbcintroducing showcase and live broadcast from Steve Lamacq, UK artists were well and truly represented at SXSW 🤝 And it doesn’t stop there... BME is heading to Los Angeles on May 20th at the iconic Roxy Theatre, featuring @RedRumClub and more soon-to-be-announced UK talent as part of Greater Together LA ☀️ BME SXSW 2026 artists: Adult DVD, Amie Blu, Amy Gadiaga, Andrew Cushin, Armanii, ARXX, Ashaine White, Basht., Ben Ellis, Better Joy, Blair Davie, Bricknasty, Chalk, Congratulations, CQ Wrestling, DJ AG, FEET, Grandmas House, Gwenno, Hana Lili, Hector Gannet, Home Counties, Jamie Dred, Jasmine Jethwa, JayaHadADream, Jenna Cole, KairoKeyz, Karmasheen, King No-One, Knats, Kofi Stone, KOJ, Loren Heat, Mae Muller, Marketplace, MEEK, Mên An Tol, Morgan, Morgan Munroe, MT Jones, Nightbus, Novelist, Panic Shack, Rampage Sound, Saint Agnes, Sarah Meth, Sassy 009, Sofia And The Antoinettes, Steven Bamidele, Still Blank, The Family Battenberg, The Haunted Youth, The Tullamarines, Tom A. Smith, TTSSFU, Werkha, Whitelands, Zee Azg 🤝 @PPLUK, @PRSforMusic, @PRSFoundation, @bbcintroducing, @BritishCouncil, @biztradegovuk

Black Music Means Business 💼 Last night BPI's Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Hailey Willington attended the Black Music Means Business report launch in Parliament. It's important to acknowledge and celebrate the significant contribution that Black music has made to the UK music industry, both culturally and commercially, and for its continued success to be supported. Check out the report here: ukmusic.org/wp-content/upl… 📸 Pictured with @UK_Music's Head of Diversity Eunice Obianagha

BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist (@Doctoe): "It has been a pleasure working with Martin in my time at the BPI and on behalf of the label community we thank him for navigating the @officialcharts through so much change in the industry. Under his leadership, the OCC has made huge progress as a consumer facing brand and The Official Charts remain and will continue to be one of the most important and highly regarded data sources for the recorded music sector.”

British music stays at the top 🇬🇧 @IFPI_org's Global Music Report 2026 released today confirms the UK as the world’s third-largest recorded music market, buoyed by a new generation of British talent 🎉 BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE: "IFPI’s GMR 2026 once again reflects how intensely competitive the global music market has become, with streaming having lowered barriers to entry and all parts of the world producing music which competes for fan attention. But despite this, and thanks to the long term investment of our record labels at the heart of its ecosystem, the UK remains the world’s third largest market for recorded music and is the biggest exporter after only the US. And with a new wave of exciting British talent breaking through on the global stage, we remain optimistic about British music’s ability to remain at the top." Read the full report here: ifpi.org/resources/?utm…

British music stays at the top 🇬🇧 @IFPI_org's Global Music Report 2026 released today confirms the UK as the world’s third-largest recorded music market, buoyed by a new generation of British talent 🎉 BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE: "IFPI’s GMR 2026 once again reflects how intensely competitive the global music market has become, with streaming having lowered barriers to entry and all parts of the world producing music which competes for fan attention. But despite this, and thanks to the long term investment of our record labels at the heart of its ecosystem, the UK remains the world’s third largest market for recorded music and is the biggest exporter after only the US. And with a new wave of exciting British talent breaking through on the global stage, we remain optimistic about British music’s ability to remain at the top." Read the full report here: ifpi.org/resources/?utm…

BPI CSO Sophie Jones responds to the UK Government publishing an update on its work in relation to AI and Copyright. “We welcome the Government taking its previously preferred option of a TDM with opt out off the table. Any new exceptions to copyright for AI training would be deeply damaging to the music industry and wider creative economy. Our focus remains on ensuring that policy in respect of AI and creativity enables the nascent licensing market to scale at pace, and facilitates widespread adoption of responsible AI across the industry. We look forward to engaging with the ongoing strands of work to ensure British music can continue as a vital and growing cultural and economic success.” Read the full ministerial statement here: questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statem…

Black Music is the backbone of the UK music industry. New report #BlackMusicMeansBusiness reveals Black music generated 80% (£24.5bn) of UK recorded music value over 30 years.

Some powerful motivation and advice for women looking to become board members 👏 At last night’s Seat at the Table Report 2026 launch and International Women’s Day mixer with @womeninctrl, Head of DEI at BPI Hailey Willington hosted a panel on embedding equity in governance with brilliant guests: MJ Olaore, BPI Katie Manasse, @WeAreTheMU Jill Hollywood, @MMFUK Maria McMillan, @IvorsAcademy Read more here: bpi.co.uk/news/13090142 #internationalwomensday #iwd2026 #internationalwomensday2026 #equality #dei

Near gender parity is a milestone, but it’s not inclusion. At the launch of the 2026 Seat at the Table report in association with BPI, @womeninctrl founder Nadia Khan shared key insights on gender representation at the board level: 📊 Women now hold 49% of music industry board seats 📉 But global majority women represent just 11%, down from 16% in 2024 Read more here: bpi.co.uk/news/13090142

Amazing launch @womeninctrl with Seat at the table report led by Nadia Khan musicweek.com/labels/read/pr…. 🎱

The numbers are in 🚨 UK recorded music revenue has reached a new high of £1.57bn in 2025, marking 11 consecutive years of growth. 📈 BPI CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE (@Doctoe): “Beyond the positive headlines, what is especially satisfying about this 11th consecutive annual rise in UK recorded music revenue is that it has been in part driven by a resurgence in British music with a new generation of artists breaking through. Its impact is being felt not just at home but globally, highlighted by the recent Grammy wins of Olivia Dean, Lola Young and others, as well as on streaming services and music charts around the world. “This success is a testament to our brilliant record labels and shows what can be achieved in the right business environment. Underpinning this success is the UK’s gold-standard copyright framework, and it remains essential that this is safeguarded by our policymakers as a burgeoning market to license music to AI firms takes root.”   Streaming topped £1bn for the second year running, while vinyl sales surged nearly 20%, showing the continued strength and diversity of the UK recorded music market. A new wave of British artists including Olivia Dean, Lola Young and Skye Newman are helping drive this momentum 👏 Read more about the latest BPI figures and what’s powering the industry’s growth here: bpi.co.uk/news/13097053

Ahead of the Welsh Senedd elections, UK Music has launched a Manifesto for Music in Wales to help turbocharge the nation’s music sector. Find out more here: tinyurl.com/5n6c5s93

What six years of tracking music industry boards has taught me - @NadiaCTRL for @MusicWeek ✍️ "“In 2024, the sector collectively met both UK Music 10 Point Plan targets, but in 2026 neither is met collectively. The lesson from six years of tracking music industry boards is clear: progress that is not embedded into governance structures does not last. The UK music industry is often cited internationally as a leader in diversity commitments. The data suggests the next challenge is ensuring those commitments are structurally embedded. Without structural embedding, change is unstable and reversible. A historic milestone means very little if it can be undone in a single board renewal cycle. The reversal in these figures shows that the sector’s progress remains fragile.” Today, @womeninctrl published the 2026 Seat At The Table report, in association with the BPI 🤝 Marking six years of tracking representation on UK music trade association boards, the latest edition records the first simultaneous decline in both gender and intersectional representation since 2020. Read more here: musicweek.com/labels/read/wh…

Commenting on the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee’s report on AI and Copyright, BPI CSO Sophie Jones said: “We welcome the Committee’s recognition that a thriving UK licensing market, based on respect of copyright, offers the best solution for both AI companies and the creative industries. The Committee rightly calls on the Government to rule out a new exception to copyright – and it is imperative that the Government does not put forward other options to create new exceptions that would have the same devastating impact on music and other creative sectors. The Government should take heed of this report as it considers its policy position, alongside the Committee’s welcome recommendations for transparency from AI companies and the need for the protection of personality rights and digital replicas." Read the full report here: publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld5901/ldse…

Huge congratulations to BPI COO MJ Olaore who has been included in the @TAForum's Women in Trade Associations Powerlist, ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday 🎉 Check out the full powerlist here: taforum.org/community/wome…