The Official Charts Company – the UK’s inter-professional chart governing body – has announced a new award in the 10th year of their coveted ‘Number 1′ prize. The new trophy – dubbed ‘Specialist Number 1′ – has been designed to “spotlight the diverse range of music talent, and breadth of records finding success on the UK’s Official Specialist Charts,” according to the OCC. The specialist charts include afrobeats, indie, classical and vinyl. Among the first recipients are Liam Gallagher, classical cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Darkoo & One Acen of the growing UK afrobeats scene – all celebrated for their significant – if not yet recognised – achievements in music.
Bristol punk band Idles received the official Number 1 award for their latest album ‘Ultra Mono’ after it topped the charts last October. Furthermore, it became the fastest-selling vinyl release of the year too; a particular jewel for indie record store shoppers as the album would go on to finish just ahead of Yungblud to top the end-of-year Official Record Store Chart of 2020. Responding to the official Official Charts Company via YouTube upload, Mark Bowen of Idles said: “If you’re going to buy a record, support independent local businesses, they need it as much as possible.
“Thanks to the fans, shout out to independent record stores. We’re top of the pops, Number 1 in the shops, a wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom!”
The OCC launched the Official Record Store Chart in 2012 to work in conjunction with Record Store Day UK in bolstering efforts to preserve independent record stores. Throughout 2020, as a result of coronavirus implications, record shops witnessed a drastic decline in footfall, casting the survival of many such outlets into doubt. Despite the precarious year, vinyl sales continued a 13-year rise with 4.6 million sold throughout 2020, largely by virtue of campaigns such as LoveRecordStores, Tim Burgess’ Online Twitter Listening Parties and National Album Day.
Going into 2021, the OCC have reacted to this change in music consumerism culture, after so many stores have had to evolve their retail approach to a more online-oriented system during the pandemic. The organisation has now set up tracking of all home delivery sales from indie record stores to manage the chart.
