Americana Albums Chart launches in UK

First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit

Swedish duo First Aid Kit: their LP Stay Gold was the biggest selling Americana album of 2015 in the UK. Photo: Neil Krug

Official Charts Company starts UK rundown of top-selling Americana music, and First Aid Kit made 2015’s biggest selling Americana LP

Today saw the launch of the UK’s first dedicated chart for Americana music, compiled by the Official Charts Company, in conjunction with the UK Americana Music Association. The first Official Americana Albums Chart was revealed this evening on Bob Harris’s BBC Radio 2 Country show, and will be published weekly on Fridays on OfficialCharts.com thereafter. The introduction of the chart coincides with the first UK Americana Awards, taking place at the St John at Hackney on 3 February, hosted by Harris, with musical direction by Ethan Johns.

“I am so pleased to see the founding of a new Americana chart,” said Radio 2’s Country show presenter Bob Harris. “It is important and appropriate that the popularity of this wonderful, vibrant and creative genre is acknowledged in this way.”

Managing Director of the Americana Music Association, Jed Hilly added: “Americana is a vital and thriving musical art form. Its influences are global, it’s no surprise to me that the UK have recognised the expansion and legitimacy of the Americana genre before any of the American chart services, given their appreciation for music, and the arts, as culturally important.”

Topping the first weekly Official Americana Albums Chart is 26-year old American singer/songwriter Elle King, whose debut album Love Stuff surges off the back of the success of current single Ex’s & Oh’s, as performed on last week’s Graham Norton show. Lucinda Williams’ The Ghosts of Highway 20 comes in at No 2, Swedish duo First Aid Kit’s Stay Gold at No 4 and Bear’s Den at No 7 with Islands.

OfficialCharts.com also revealed that First Aid Kit’s Stay Gold was the official biggest selling Americana album of 2015 in the UK, and will receive a special award at the UK Americana Awards to acknowledge the sales success of the album on these shores.

Speaking of their achievement, First Aid Kit said: “We’re honoured to receive this prestigious prize. For us Americana is the finest genre and we’re delighted just to be considered part of this fascinating world of music.”

The Official Americana Albums Chart will be published at 5.45pm every Friday on officialcharts.com




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