The Glaswegian rockers have secured their first UK number one album from their 10th LP ‘As The Love Continues’. The rock band, formed in 1995, and have gained wide critical acclaim and following from the likes of Lord Of The rings star Elijiah Wood and The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, but never a UK number 1 album! This Is a ‘landmark moment’ for the band, after exactly 25 years since first release of debut single ‘Tuner/Lower’.
Upon the news of the bands first UK number one album, Mogwai stated, “We’re unbelievably happy to have the number one album in the UK. We want to thank everyone at Rock Action Records – both of you – and mostly to thank everyone who has bought, downloaded and streamed the album, and supported us over the last week, and the last 25 years. It’s something we’re amazed by. We’re taken aback by everyone’s support, kindness and generosity.”
The band beat off competitor Ghetts’ ‘Conflict of Interest’ by 2,900 sales. ‘As the Love Continues’ also won in vinyl and independent record store sales this week. Ghetts said of the battle to the top ‘Big congrats to @mogwaiband 25 years in a game where longevity isn’t easily achieved. Salute’
Big congrats to @mogwaiband 25 years in a game where longevity isn’t easily achieved. Salute
— GHETTS (@THEREALGHETTS) February 26, 2021
Mogwai themselves showed their humble attitude toward the news, stating “We didn’t start the band or the label to get into the charts. None of us ever envisaged either the band or the label being in a position where having a number one record would be a possibility.”
In a three-star review of the album, NME stated of the album, ’As The Love Continues’ is an album that opens beautifully but falls short at times during its second half. Then again, the whole record works so much better in a live setting – and will continue to do so when Mogwai finally hit the road again.’
In the campaign for the top, fellow fans such as Elijah Wood and Tim Burgess rallied for the rock bands victory, taking to Twitter and social media. At the news of Mogwai claiming number 1, Wood stated ‘shit yes! Congratulations! So deserved.’
shit yes! congratulations! so deserved.
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) February 26, 2021
The band played a live streamed concert of the number 1 album on the 13th February which NME gave 4 stars. The concert was held in Glasgow’s Tramway, allowing them some form of live shows after having to sadly cancel their 2021 tour.
Over the past 25 years, the band have been on quite a journey and score number 1 album during a pandemic is beyond impressive. “It’s been an incredible journey making music together over the last quarter century, taking us to places we never dreamed of and getting to play our music to more people than we ever imagined.”
Tonight the band will celebrate on a Zoom call with everyone involved on the record. The bands guitar player, Stuart Braithwaite, said ‘We’ll have a few drinks and talk about how unbelievable it is!’ TGIF!
