Ed Sheeran has secured the number one spot with his new album, =. The new release marks the singer’s fifth number one within the UK album charts.
The album has debuted at number one within the Official UK album chart and cemented the singer’s longstanding success. Sheeran spoke to Officialcharts.com concerning his recent win, “Thank you so much for making Equals the Number 1 album in the UK this week. I don’t know what else to say, you guys are great, thank you so much for all listening to it, I hope you enjoy it. I hope to see you on tour next year.”
As reported by Officialcharts.com the album has outsold the remaining top 30 entries combined. The singer’s fifth studio album has accumulated over 139,000 chart sales within its opening week. The new release’s physical sales equated to 68% of its sales, inclusive of the 11,500 copies sold on Vinyl which made the album the biggest selling Vinyl this week. Sheeran’s newest release also boasted impressive digital figures with 18% from streaming and 14% download sales.
The album’s initial release week has become the most successful within the UK so far. The new release’s opening week marks Sheeran’s most profitable since his third studio album Divide, released in 2017. The singer’s new album was released on 29th October 2021 via Atlantic Records and Asylum Records. The “Shape Of You” singer’s newest release contains a tracklist of 14 tracks with 3 already released as singles. The album was also released as a digital fan deluxe edition and contains three bonus tracks including The NPR Tiny Desk version of “Overpass Graffiti”.
Officialcharts.com took to Instagram to post the singer with his award.
The album has already experienced chart success prior to its release. The album’s lead single “Bad Habits” was released on 25th June 2021 and spent multiple weeks at number one. The second single, “Shivers”, was released on 10th September 2021 and also enjoyed chart success. The album’s third single, “Overpass Graffiti” is the only single to not reach number one. The single was released on 29th October 201 and reached number four within the UK singles charts. In between the first and second single releases, Sheeran released the promotional track “Visiting Hours”. The single was released on 19th August 2021 and was co-produced by Irish singer and producer Johnny McDaid.
Elsewhere within the charts, Richard Ashcroft’s new solo album Retrospective Acoustic Hymns Vol.1 debuted at number two. The former The Verve frontman released his sixth studio album on 29th October 2021 via Righteous Phonographic Association and BMG. This week saw Sir Elton John’s new collaborative album drop to number three. The iconic pianist’s recent release, The Lockdown Sessions, peaked at number one on release. At number four is Music Of The Spheres by Coldplay, the band’s ninth studio album was released on 15th October 2021 and spent a week at number one. Closing the top five is Spice Girls’ re-release of their debut album Spice. The decade-defining album was originally released on 19th September 1996 via Virgin Records and spawned a new generation of girl power.
Tickets are now on sale for Sheeran’s upcoming tour, the singer will embark on a UK and European tour in support of his new album. Sheeran kickstarts his 54-date tour with a performance in Ireland on 23rd April 2022.
Ed Sheeran UK and Irish tour
23/04/2022 – Croke Park – Dublin
24/04 – Croke Park – Dublin
28/04 – Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Cork
29/04 – Páirc Uí Chaoimh – Cork
05/05 – Thomond Park – Limerik
06/05 – Thomond Park – Limerik
12/05 – Boucher Road Playing Fields – Belfast
13/05 – Boucher Road Playing Fields – Belfast
26/05 – Principality Stadium – Cardiff
27/05 – Principality Stadium – Cardiff
28/05 – Principality Stadium – Cardiff
02/06 – Stadium Of Light – Sunderland
03/06 – Stadium Of Light – Sunderland
04/06 – Stadium Of Light – Sunderland
09/06 – Etihad Stadium – Manchester
10/06 – Etihad Stadium – Manchester
11/06 – Etihad Stadium – Manchester
12/06 – Etihad Stadium – Manchester
16/06 – Hampden Park – Glasgow
17/06 – Hampden Park – Glasgow
24/06 – Wembley Stadium – London
25/06 – Wembley Stadium – London
29/06 – Wembley Stadium – London
30/06 – Wembley Stadium – London
01/07 – Wembley Stadium – London
