In this week’s issue, industry execs and retail giants hail the record breaking success of Ed Sheeran’s Divide, while ADA, Rhino and East West president Dan Chalmers takes the hot seat for Music Week’s Big Interview.
Having smashed just about every record any sight, Sheeran’s third album ÷ Divide became the third fastest-selling album in history, topped only by Adele’s 25 and Oasis’ Be Here Now. In this week’s issue, we hear from Warner Music UK chairman and CEO Max Lousada, Atlantic president Ben Cook, Sheeran's manager Stuart Camp and some of the biggest names in music retail and streaming about how the record has achieved such staggering week one sales - and what happens next...
Meanwhile, the subject of our Big Interview, Dan Chalmers talks everything from Alexander Armstrong to Stormzy as his three companies continue to do big business for Warner Music.
In another revealing Music Week interview, BBC Radio 1 presenter MistaJam tells us about stepping into renowned tastemaker Annie Mac’s shoes during her maternity leave and explains why he believes specialist radio is still the best medium for breaking new acts.
Eleswhere, we catch up with James Blunt on his new record and find out how he became one of the most unexpectedly brilliant voices on Twitter; bring you the highlights from another of our Radar new talent nights; and a variety of industry bodies and organisations discuss the need to crack down on piracy in the market in a Music Week special report.
In news, Imagem UK’s new recruit Sara Lord reveals the independent publisher’s plans to go head-to-head with the majors this year, East West’s new general manager Angie Somerside tells us what the eclectic label has in store for 2017 and we go inside The xx's record-breaking Brixton Academy shows.
On top of that, we have Alan Jones’ extensive charts analysis, along with spotlights on the most exciting new music and innovative sync partnerships.
Pick up your copy of the new Music Week today or subscribe here.
