2020 in British music

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

2020 in music
By location
By genre
By topic
List of years in British music
Events
  • 2025
  • 2026
  • 2027
  • 2028
  • 2029
Charts
  • 2023
  • 2024
  • 2025
  • 2026
  • 2027
  • 2028
  • 2029
←2010s
2021→

This is a summary of the year 2020 in British music.

Events[]

  • 9 January – Singer Celeste is named as the Sound of 2020, after an annual BBC poll of music critics and industry figures.[1]
  • 13 January – Opera Holland Park announces simultaneously the scheduled retirement of Michael Volpe as its general director on 30 September 2020, and the appointment of James Clutton as the company's new Chief Executive and Director of Opera, effective 1 October 2020.[2]
  • 24 January – The London Philharmonic Orchestra announces simultaneously the scheduled retirement of Timothy Walker as its chief executive and artistic director, effective 3 June 2020, and the appointment of David Burke as its next chief executive, along with a planned division into separate roles each of the posts of chief executive and of artistic director.[3]
  • 1 February
    • The Orchestre National de Lille performs the final concert of its UK tour at Leeds Town Hall, the last European orchestra to perform in the United Kingdom just prior to and after the UK's departure from the European Union.[4]
    • Veteran glam rock band Slade sack their drummer Don Powell after 50 years together; Powell says he will set up a rival group called "Don Powell's Slade".[5]
  • 12 February – The Two Moors Festival announces the appointment of Tamsin Waley-Cohen as its new artistic director for its 2020 festival.[6]
  • 24 February – The Hallé announces Delyana Lazarova as the winner of the inaugural Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition 2020.[7]
  • 27 February
    • "My Last Breath", sung by James Newman, is selected as the UK's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.[8] A few weeks later, the contest is cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]
    • The Hallé announces the appointment of David Butcher as its next chief executive, effective September 2020.[10]
    • The Britten Sinfonia announces that David Butcher is to stand down as its chief executive and artistic director in the summer of 2020.[11]
  • 11 March
    • The Philharmonia Orchestra announces the appointment of Alexander Van Ingen as its next chief executive, effective September 2020.[12]
    • The Academy of Ancient Music announces that Alexander Van Ingen is to stand down as its chief executive, effective September 2020.[13]
  • 17 March – The following classical music organisations announce suspension of performances in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:
    • All BBC Orchestras and Choirs[14]
    • Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra[15]
    • Southbank Centre, encompassing the London Philharmonic Orchestra[16] and the Philharmonia Orchestra[17]
    • London Symphony Orchestra
    • Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, through 19 April 2020[18]
  • 18 March – The Glastonbury Festival announces the cancellation of its 2020 season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]
  • 23 March – Hazard Chase announces cessation of activity and entry into voluntary liquidation, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[20]
  • 24 March – The St Magnus International Festival announces cancellation of its 2020 season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]
  • 26 March – The following festivals have cancelled their scheduled 2020 seasons in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • 27 March – The following festivals have cancelled their scheduled 2020 seasons in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • 30 March
    • The Aldeburgh Festival announces the cancellation of its 2020 festival season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first-ever festival cancellation in the festival's history.[26]
    • Following a cold and self-isolation, Marianne Faithfull checks into hospital, and subsequently has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.[27]
  • 1 April – The Edinburgh International Festival announces the cancellation of its 2020 festival season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[28]
  • 2 April – The Dartington Music Summer School and Festival announces the cancellation of its 2020 summer school and festival season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[29]
  • 6 April – The London Philharmonic Orchestra announces the appointment of Karina Canellakis as its new principal guest conductor, the first female conductor ever named to the post, effective September 2020.[30]
  • 24 April – At 99 years old, Captain Tom Moore became the oldest person to top the UK Singles Chart.
  • 5 May – Glyndebourne Opera announces cancellation of its 2020 summer season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[31]
  • 6 May – Britten Sinfonia announces the appointment of Meurig Bowen as its next chief executive and artistic director, effective August 2020.[32]
  • 7 May – Help Musicians UK announces the appointment of Dame Evelyn Glennie as its new president.[33]
  • 12 May – Wigmore Hall and BBC Radio 3 announce a scheduled series of live concerts from Wigmore Hall, beginning on 1 June, to be performed to an empty hall and under social distancing guidelines, the first live concerts from the hall and broadcast on Radio 3 since the general COVID-19 lockdown.[34]
  • 1 June – At Wigmore Hall, Stephen Hough gives a live concert without an audience in attendance, video-streamed and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, the first live classical music concert in London and the first live music relay on BBC Radio 3 in 11 weeks since the imposition of COVID-19-related lockdown conditions.[35]
  • 9 June – The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra announces the appointment of Domingo Hindoyan as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2021–2022 season.[36]
  • 15 June – Birmingham Opera Company announces the appointment of as its new music director, effective 1 July 2020.[37]
  • 16 June – Universal Music Group announces the re-branding of its Virgin EMI label as EMI Records, and the appointment of Rebecca Allen as president of the EMI Records label.[38]
  • 25 June – The London Philharmonic Orchestra announces the appointment of Cristina Rocca as its new artistic director, effective November 2020.[39]
  • 2 July – Opera North announces postponement of its originally scheduled autumn 2020 and winter 2021 productions, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[40]
  • 3 July – The BBC Proms announces its reconfigured 2020 Proms season, with 6 weeks of archival Proms and selected new digital content, and the final 2 weeks of the season scheduled to feature live concerts under social distancing guidelines at the Royal Albert Hall.[41]
  • 4 July – The Bamberg Symphony announces the prize winners of its 2020 Mahler Competition for conductors, which include Finnegan Downie Dear (First Prize) and Harry Ogg (joint winner of Third Prize).
  • 6 July – Tom Meighan and Kasabian announce his departure from the group, by mutual agreement.[42] Subsequent reports the next day indicate that the departure was related to Meighan's assault of his former fiancée, Vikki Ager, behaviour condemned by his former bandmates as "totally unacceptable".[43]
  • 8 July – Cadogan Hall presents a live concert by the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) under social distancing guidelines, the first live concert at Cadogan Hall and the first live ECO performance since the imposition of lockdown conditions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[44]
  • 25 July - Grime artist Wiley is dropped by his management after the rapper posted a series of anti-Semitic tweets.
  • 28 July - Q magazine folds, and publishes its final issue, blaming low circulation and advertising revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 12 August – Glyndebourne Opera stages the first night of its new live production of Jacques Offenbach's Mesdames de la Halle, in English translation under the title In the Market for Love, or Onions are Forever, under social distancing conditions for the musicians and audience, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[45]
  • 17 August – Wigmore Hall announces a schedule for 100 autumn season concerts under social distancing conditions, scheduled for the period of 13 September 2020 to 22 December 2020.[46]
  • 28 August
    • Imogen Cooper is announced as the recipient of The Queens Medal for Music 2019.[47]
    • The first live concert of the 2020 BBC Proms takes place at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Singers conducted by Sakari Oramo, under social distancing conditions for the musicians, without an audience and to an empty hall.[48]
  • 29 August – Seorsia Jack announces her departure from Real Like You eight months after their win on The X Factor: The Band, deciding to pursue a solo career.[49]
  • 16 September - The Royal Philharmonic Society awards honorary membership to Dame Sarah Connolly, at a live Wigmore Hall recital.[50]
  • 6 October – 400 professional classical musicians stage a socially distanced performance protest in support of musicians not covered by the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant.[51]
  • 9 October – Queen's Birthday Honours List 2020[52][53]
  • 21 October – NI Opera announces the appointment of Cameron Menzies as its next artistic director.[54]
  • 1 November – The charity single Four Notes - Paul's Tune, based on an piano improvisation by retired music teacher Paul Harvey, is released in a recording with the BBC Philharmonic accompanying the original piano recording, with proceeds from sales divided equally between the Alzheimers Society and Music for Dementia.[55]
  • 4 November – The Southbank Centre announces the appointment of Toks Dada as its new head of classical music, effective December 2020.[56]
  • 6 November – Sir Cliff Richard becomes the first artist to have albums in the Top 5 UK album charts across eight consecutive decades, each decade from the 1950s (1959) through the 2020s (2020), with the #3 status of Music...The Air That I Breathe this week.[57]
  • 18 November - The Academy of Ancient Music announces the appointment of Laurence Cummings as its next music director, effective with the 2021–2022 season.[58]
  • 14 December – Jesy Nelson announces her departure from Little Mix after nine years. Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall confirm that they will continue as a three-piece group.[59]
  • 18 December
    • The Choir of Kings College, Cambridge announces the cancellation of its scheduled live performance of the 2020 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. In its place on 24 December, a recording of the music made as an alternative event is to be relayed.[60]
    • Paul McCartney releases his solo album McCartney III.
  • 21 December
    • The girl choristers of Ely Cathedral perform the "Hymn for Christmas Day" by Jane Savage, the earliest known Church of England anthem by a female composer, following its re-discovery in the summer of 2020 by Rachel Webber of the University of York.[61]
    • Esa-Pekka Salonen is made an honorary KBE by Queen Elizabeth II, for services to music and to United Kingdom-Finland cultural relations.[62]
  • 30 December: 2021 New Years Honours:[63]
    • Jane Glover is made a Dame Commander of the British Empire.
    • Graham Vick is made a Knight Bachelor.
    • Julian Anderson, Barry Douglas, Daniel Harding, and Wasfi Kani are each made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
    • Colin Balsam, Natalie Clein, and Wayne Marshall are each made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
    • Bradley Creswick, Craig David, John Kirkpatrick, and Duncan McDonald are each made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Television programmes[]

  • 1 January – Jools' Annual Hootenanny features Stereophonics, Stormzy, The Selecter, Rick Astley, and others.[64]
  • 4 January
  • 8 January – Got What It Takes? returns for its fifth series, hosted by Anna Maynard.[66] The series is won by 13 year old Georgie Mills.[67]
  • 17 January – Stewart Copeland's Adventures in Music features Sting, Bobby McFerrin and Miss Honey Dijon.[68]
  • 11 July – The Voice Kids, series 4, begins on ITV, hosted by Emma Willis.[69]
  • 26 September – Little Mix The Search, series 1, begins on BBC, judged by girl group Little Mix.[70]

Classical works[]

  • Emma-Ruth Richards – The Sail of a Flame[71]
  • Mark-Anthony Turnage – Towards Alba[72]
  • Dani Howard – Dualism[73]
  • Thomas Hewitt Jones – Divertimento for String Quartet
  • Howard Goodall – Never to Forget[74]
  • Hannah Kendall - Tuxedo: Vasco 'de' Gama[48]
  • Thomas Adès - Dawn[75]
  • Mark-Anthony Turnage – Last Song for Olly[76]
  • Roxanna Panufnik - Heartfelt[77]
  • Geoffrey Gordon - He saith among the trumpets
  • John Paul Jones – The Tudor Pull[78]
  • Julia Plaut – 24 Pianos[79]
  • Ryan Wigglesworth – Five Waltzes[80]

Opera[]

  • Alex Woolf and David Pountney – A Feast in the Time of Plague[81]

Musical theatre[]

Film scores and incidental music[]

Film[]

  • Patrick Doyle – Death on the Nile, directed by Kenneth Branagh[82]
  • Dickon Hinchliffe – Misbehaviour

Television[]

British music awards[]

  • Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2020
    • Chamber: Bartók – Piano Quintet / Veress – String Trio; Vilde Frang; Barnabás Kelemen; Katalin Kokas; Lawrence Power; Nicolas Altstaedt; Alexander Lonquich (Alpha Classics)
    • Choral: J.S. Bach – St Matthew Passion; Benjamin Bruns, Damien Guillon, Christian Immler, Toru Kaku, Clint van der Linde, Aki Matsui, Makoto Sakurada, Carolyn Sampson, Zachary Wilder; Bach Collegium Japan; Masaaki Suzuki, conductor (BIS)
    • Concerto: Chopin – Piano Concertos; Benjamin Grosvenor; Royal Scottish National Orchestra; Elim Chan, conductor (Decca Classics)
    • Contemporary: Thomas Adès - Piano Concerto / Totentanz; Kirill Gerstein, Mark Stone, Christianne Stotijn; Boston Symphony Orchestra; Thomas Adès, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon)
    • Early Music: Gesualdo - Madrigali, Libri primo & secondo; Les Arts Florissants; Paul Agnew (harmonia mundi) (Hyperion)
    • Instrumental: Beethoven - Complete Piano Sonatas; Igor Levit (Sony Classical)
    • Opera: Handel – Agrippina; Joyce DiDonato, Elsa Benoit, Luca Pisaroni, Franco Fagioli, Jakub Józef Orliński, Andrea Mastroni, Carlo Vistoli, Biagio Pizzuti, Marie-Nicole Lemieux; Il Pomo d'Oro; Maxim Emelyanychev, conductor (Erato)
    • Orchestral: Mieczysław Weinberg - Symphonies Nos 2 and 21; Gidon Kremer; Kremerata Baltica; City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon)
    • Recital: Si j'ai aimé (Berlioz, Théodore Dubois; Duparc; Massenet; Saint-Saëns; Vierne); Sandrine Piau; Le Concert de la Loge; Julien Chauvin, director (Alpha Classics)
    • Solo Vocal: Janáček - The Diary of One Who Disappeared, Nursery Rhymes, Moravian Folk Poetry in Songs; Nicky Spence; Václava Housková; Victoria Samek; Julius Drake (Hyperion)
    • Recording of the Year: Mieczysław Weinberg - Symphonies Nos 2 and 21; Gidon Kremer; Kremerata Baltica; City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra; Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, conductor (Deutsche Grammophon)
    • Concept Album: From the Ground Up: The Chaconne; Hugo Ticciati; o/modernt (Signum Classics)
    • Beethoven 250 Award: Beethoven – Piano Concertos Nos 2 and 5; Martin Helmchen; Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin; Andrew Manze, conductor (Alpha Classics)
    • Young Artist of the Year: Natalya Romaniw
    • Label of the Year: Alpha Classics
    • Artist of the Year: Igor Levit
    • Orchestra of the Year: The Philadelphia Orchestra
    • Special Achievement: Robert von Bahr
    • Lifetime Achievement: Itzhak Perlman
  • 2020 Royal Philharmonic Society Awards[85]
    • RPS Gold Medal: John Williams
    • Chamber-Scale Composition: Naomi Pinnock, I am, I am
    • Concert Series & Events: Venus Unwrapped - Kings Place
    • Conductor: Dalia Stasevska
    • Ensemble: Scottish Ensemble
    • Gamechanger: Jane Glover
    • Impact: Sound Young Minds - City of London Sinfonia
    • Inspiration:
      • Concerteenies
      • Diocese of Leeds Schools Singing Programme
      • Stay At Home Choir
      • The Opera Story's Episodes
      • #UriPosteJukeBox
      • Virtual Benedetti Sessions
    • Instrumentalist: Lawrence Power
    • Large-Scale Composition: Frank Denyer - The Fish that Became the Sun (Songs of the Dispossessed)
    • Opera & Music Theatre: The Turn of the Screw - Garsington Opera
    • Singer: Natalya Romaniw
    • Storytelling: Stephen Hough - Rough Ideas
    • Young Artists: Sheku Kanneh-Mason
  • Ivors Composer Awards
    • Chamber Orchestral: Robin Haigh – Grin
    • Choral: Richard Blackford – Pietà
    • Community and Participation: Oliver Vibrans – More Up
    • Innovation – Yazz Ahmed
    • Jazz Composition for Large Ensemble: Charlie Bates – Crepuscule
    • Jazz Composition for Small Ensemble: Renell Shaw – The Vision They Had
    • Large Chamber: Oliver Leith – Honey Siren
    • Large Orchestral: Jonny Greenwood – Horror vacui
    • Outstanding Works Collection: Cecilia McDowell
    • Small Chamber: Daniel Fardon – Six Movements
    • Solo or Duo: Gareth Moorcraft – Diaries of the Early Worm
    • Sound Art: Kathy Hinde – Twittering Machines
    • Stage Works: Philip Venables – Denis & Katya

Charts and sales[]

Number-one singles[]

The singles chart includes a proportion for streaming.

Key
dagger Best performing single of the year
Chart date
(week ending)		 Song Artist(s) Chart sales References
2 January "River" Ellie Goulding 78,193 [86]
9 January "Own It" Stormzy featuring Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy 56,590 [87]
16 January 55,826 [88]
23 January 55,400 [89]
30 January "Godzilla" Eminem featuring Juice Wrld 52,633 [90]
6 February "Before You Go" Lewis Capaldi 65,943 [91]
13 February "Blinding Lights" dagger The Weeknd 62,512 [92]
20 February 64,954 [93]
27 February "No Time to Die" Billie Eilish 90,488 [94]
5 March "Blinding Lights" dagger The Weeknd 64,302 [95]
12 March 63,966 [96]
19 March 60,545 [97]
26 March "Roses" Saint Jhn 52,656 [98]
2 April 59,859 [99]
9 April "Blinding Lights" dagger The Weeknd 69,595 [100]
16 April 80,073 [101]
23 April 77,918 [102]
30 April "You'll Never Walk Alone" Michael Ball and Captain Tom Moore 81,829 [103]
7 May "Times Like These" Live Lounge Allstars 66,164 [104]
14 May "Toosie Slide" Drake 49,187 [105]
21 May "Rockstar" DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch 44,879 [106]
28 May 57,429 [107]
4 June "Rain on Me" Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande 70,132 [108]
11 June "Rockstar" DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch 64,382 [109]
18 June 57,677 [110]
25 June 59,299 [111]
2 July 59,563 [112]
9 July "Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)" Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo 57,105 [113]
16 July 63,292 [114]
23 July 63,411 [115]
30 July "Head & Heart" Joel Corry featuring MNEK 67,806 [116]
6 August 76,363 [117]
13 August 79,313 [118]
20 August 81,254 [119]
27 August 67,888 [120]
3 September 61,845 [121]
10 September "WAP" Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion 64,725 [122]
17 September 62,118 [123]
24 September 59,563 [124]
1 October "Mood" 24kGoldn featuring Iann Dior 60,618 [125]
8 October 54,844 [126]
15 October 50,366 [127]
22 October 48,886 [128]
29 October "Lemonade" Internet Money and Gunna featuring Don Toliver and Nav 38,052 [129]
5 November "Positions" Ariana Grande 60,909 [130]
12 November 50,903 [131]
19 November 44,348 [132]
26 November 44,581 [133]
3 December 42,870 [134]
10 December 38,394 [135]
17 December "All I Want for Christmas Is You" Mariah Carey 44,016 [136]
24 December 43,944 [137]
31 December "Don't Stop Me Eatin'" LadBaby 158,000 [138]

Number-one albums[]

The albums chart includes a proportion for streaming.

Key
dagger Best performing album of the year
Chart date
(week ending)		 Album Artist(s) Chart sales References
2 January You're in My Heart Rod Stewart 47,495 [139]
9 January Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extentdagger Lewis Capaldi 21,203 [140]
16 January Heavy Is the Head Stormzy 23,614 [141]
23 January Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extentdagger Lewis Capaldi 18,298 [142]
30 January Music to Be Murdered By Eminem 36,302 [143]
6 February Big Conspiracy J Hus 23,536 [144]
13 February Foolish Loving Spaces Blossoms 22,489 [145]
20 February Father of All... Green Day 23,389 [146]
27 February Changes Justin Bieber 17,681 [147]
5 March Map of the Soul: 7 BTS 37,978 [148]
12 March Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extentdagger Lewis Capaldi 14,706 [149]
19 March Manchester Calling Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott 20,422 [150]
26 March Heartbreak Weather Niall Horan 14,300 [151]
2 April After Hours The Weeknd 25,677 [152]
9 April Calm 5 Seconds of Summer 34,941 [153]
16 April Future Nostalgia Dua Lipa 16,080 [154]
23 April 11,833 [155]
30 April The Bonny Gerry Cinnamon 28,945 [156]
7 May Future Nostalgia Dua Lipa 10,532 [157]
14 May Dark Lane Demo Tapes Drake 19,851 [158]
21 May Future Nostalgia Dua Lipa 7,317 [159]
28 May Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extentdagger Lewis Capaldi 8,396 [160]
4 June Notes on a Conditional Form The 1975 34,245 [161]
11 June Chromatica Lady Gaga 52,907 [162]
18 June 12,819 [163]
25 June MTV Unplugged Liam Gallagher 20,874 [164]
2 July Rough and Rowdy Ways Bob Dylan 34,117 [165]
9 July Women in Music Pt. III Haim 17,762 [166]
16 July On Sunset Paul Weller 24,011 [167]
23 July Legends Never Die Juice Wrld 22,437 [168]
30 July Brightest Blue Ellie Goulding 14,820 [169]
6 August Folklore Taylor Swift 37,060 [170]
13 August 22,550 [171]
20 August 15,539 [172]
27 August A Celebration of Endings Biffy Clyro 26,161 [173]
3 September Imploding the Mirage The Killers 50,391 [174]
10 September Crabs in a Bucket Nines 13,594 [175]
17 September Goats Head Soup Rolling Stones 13,107 [176]
24 September The Universal Want Doves 17,400 [177]
1 October Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon Pop Smoke 9,665 [178]
8 October Ultra Mono Idles 27,182 [179]
15 October Live Around the World Queen and Adam Lambert 25,275 [180]
22 October Edna Headie One 15,494 [181]
29 October Cherry Blossom The Vamps 13,476 [182]
5 November Letter to You Bruce Springsteen 51,761 [183]
12 November Positions Ariana Grande 27,272 [184]
19 November Disco Kylie Minogue 54,905 [185]
26 November Power Up AC/DC 61,976 [186]
3 December Together at Christmas Michael Ball and Alfie Boe 32,822 [187]
10 December Music Played by Humans Gary Barlow 46,406 [188]
17 December Weird! Yungblud 38,759 [189]
24 December Evermore Taylor Swift 27,532 [190]
31 December McCartney III Paul McCartney 33,079 [191]

Number-one compilation albums[]

Chart date
(week ending)		 Album Chart sales References
2 January Now 104 [192]
9 January [193]
16 January Frozen II [194]
23 January [195]
30 January [196]
6 February [197]
13 February [198]
20 February Now 104 [199]
27 February Frozen II [200]
5 March The Greatest Showman [201]
12 March [202]
19 March [203]
26 March Now 100 Hits Country [204]
2 April Frozen II [205]
9 April [206]
16 April [207]
23 April [208]
30 April The Greatest Showman [209]
7 May [210]
14 May [211]
21 May Now 105 [212]
28 May [213]
4 June [214]
11 June [215]
18 June [216]
25 June [217]
2 July [218]
9 July [219]
16 July Hamilton [220]
23 July [221]
30 July [222]
6 August Now 106 [223]
13 August [224]
20 August [225]
27 August [226]
3 September [227]
10 September [228]
17 September [229]
24 September [230]
1 October [231]
8 October Hamilton [232]
15 October The Greatest Showman [233]
22 October Now 100 Hits 80s No.1s [234]
29 October The Greatest Showman [235]
5 November [236]
12 November [237]
19 November Dreamboats and Petticoats - Music That Lives [238]
26 November [239]
3 December [240]
10 December Now 107 [241]
17 December [242]
24 December [243]
31 December [244]

Year-end charts[]

Top singles of the year[]

This chart was published by the Official Charts Company on January 4, 2021[245]

Combined Title Artist(s) Peak
position 		Combined
1 "Blinding Lights" The Weeknd 1
2 "Dance Monkey" Tones and I 5 [a]
3 "Roses" Saint Jhn 1
4 "Before You Go" Lewis Capaldi 1
5 "Head & Heart" Joel Corry featuring MNEK 1
6 "Don't Start Now" Dua Lipa 2 [b]
7 "Rockstar" DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch 1
8 "Someone You Loved" Lewis Capaldi 6 [c]
9 "Own It" Stormzy featuring Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy 1
10 "Watermelon Sugar" Harry Styles 4
11 "Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)" Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo 1
12 "The Box" Roddy Ricch 2
13 "Say So" Doja Cat 2
14 "Lonely" Joel Corry 4
15 "Breaking Me" Topic and A7S 3
16 "Adore You" Harry Styles 7
17 "Rain on Me" Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande 1
18 "Rover" S1mba featuring DTG 3
19 "Physical" Dua Lipa 3
20 "Mood" 24kGoldn featuring Iann Dior 1
21 "Death Bed (Coffee for Your Head)" Powfu featuring Beabadoobee 4
22 "Life Is Good" Future featuring Drake 3
23 "WAP" Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion 1
24 "Bruises" Lewis Capaldi 12 [d]
25 "Toosie Slide" Drake 1
26 "Bad Guy" Billie Eilish 15 [e]
27 "Godzilla" Eminem featuring Juice Wrld 1
28 "Memories" Maroon 5 13 [f]
29 "Everything I Wanted" Billie Eilish 6 [g]
30 "Intentions" Justin Bieber featuring Quavo 8
31 "Roxanne" Arizona Zervas 4
32 "Rain" Aitch and AJ Tracey featuring Tay Keith 3
33 "Flowers" Nathan Dawe featuring Jaykae 12
34 "Falling" Harry Styles 15
35 "This City" Sam Fischer 16
36 "Savage" Megan Thee Stallion 3
37 "Dinner Guest" AJ Tracey featuring MoStack 5
38 "Ride It" Regard 11 [h]
39 "Blueberry Faygo" Lil Mosey 9
40 "Lighter" Nathan Dawe featuring KSI 3
41 "Secrets" Regard and Raye 6
42 "I Don't Care" Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber 27 [i]
43 "Break My Heart" Dua Lipa 6
44 "You Should Be Sad" Halsey 12
45 "Don't Need Love" 220 Kid and Gracey 9
46 "Hold Me While You Wait" Lewis Capaldi 26 [j]
47 "If the World Was Ending" JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels 14
48 "Don't Rush" Young T & Bugsey featuring Headie One 19
49 "Better Off Without You" Becky Hill featuring Shift K3Y 14
50 "Circles" Post Malone 19 [k]

Best-selling albums[]

[246]

No. Title Artist Peak
position 		Combined
sales
1 Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent Lewis Capaldi 1
2 Fine Line Harry Styles 3 [l]
3 Future Nostalgia Dua Lipa 1 265,000
4 When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? Billie Eilish 2 [m]
5 Heavy Is the Head Stormzy 1
6 Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon Pop Smoke 1
7 No.6 Collaborations Project Ed Sheeran 3 [n]
8 Greatest Hits Queen 7 [o]
9 Diamonds Elton John 7 [p]
10 50 Years – Don't Stop Fleetwood Mac 9 [q]
11 Music to Be Murdered By Eminem 1
12 Folklore Taylor Swift 1
13 ÷ Ed Sheeran 11 [r]
14 Rumours Fleetwood Mac 11 [s]
15 Hollywood's Bleeding Post Malone 9 [t]
16 High Expectations Mabel 11 [u]
17 Legends Never Die Juice Wrld 1
18 Together at Christmas Michael Ball and Alfie Boe 1
19 ABBA Gold ABBA 13 [v]
20 Legend Bob Marley and the Wailers 9 [w]
21 (What's the Story) Morning Glory? Oasis 3 [x]
22 Chromatica Lady Gaga 1
23 After Hours The Weeknd 1
24 Time Flies... 1994–2009 Oasis 15 [y]
25 Dua Lipa Dua Lipa 16 [z]
26 Power Up AC/DC 1
27 Get to Know Becky Hill 20
28 Curtain Call: The Hits Eminem 24 [aa]
29 Confetti Little Mix 2
30 Don't Smile at Me Billie Eilish 12
31 Letter to You Bruce Springsteen 1
32 Big Conspiracy J Hus 1
33 Disco Kylie Minogue 1
34 1 The Beatles 17 [ab]
35 Legacy David Bowie 15 [ac]
36 Snacks/Snacks (Supersize) Jax Jones 19 [ad]
37 Lover Taylor Swift 14 [ae]
38 What a Time to Be Alive Tom Walker 8 [af]
39 Number Ones Michael Jackson 30 [ag]
40 Goodbye & Good Riddance Juice Wrld 32 [ah]
41 AM Arctic Monkeys 34 [ai]
42 The Ultimate Collection Whitney Houston 31 [aj]
43 Staying at Tamara's George Ezra 27 [ak]
44 ? XXXTentacion 38 [al]
45 The Bonny Gerry Cinnamon 1
46 Psychodrama Dave 13 [am]
47 Without Fear Dermot Kennedy 13 [an]
48 Map of the Soul: 7 BTS 1
49 Music Played by Humans Gary Barlow 1
50 Twenty Five George Michael 33 [ao]
51 Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not Arctic Monkeys 37 [ap]
52 × Ed Sheeran 43 [aq]
53 Imploding the Mirage The Killers 1
54 The Platinum Collection: Greatest Hits I, II & III Queen 24 [ar]
55 Rare Selena Gomez 2
56 Rough and Rowdy Ways Bob Dylan 1
57 Christmas Michael Bublé 4 [as]
58 Positions Ariana Grande 1
59 Love Goes Sam Smith 2
60 Classic Diamonds Neil Diamond and the London Symphony Orchestra 2
61 Beerbongs & Bentleys Post Malone 35 [at]
62 Dissimulation KSI 2
63 Direct Hits The Killers 33 [au]
64 Scorpion Drake 39 [av]
65 Greatest Hits Foo Fighters 18 [aw]
66 Back to Black Amy Winehouse 39 [ax]
67 Definitely Maybe Oasis 35 [ay]
68 Meet the Woo 2 Pop Smoke 16
69 Singles Maroon 5 50 [az]
70 In the Lonely Hour Sam Smith 56 [ba]
71 The 50 Greatest Hits Elvis Presley 47 [bb]
72 Hypersonic Missiles Sam Fender 20 [bc]
73 Greatest Hits Red Hot Chili Peppers 49 [bd]
74 Thank U, Next Ariana Grande 37 [be]
75 Dark Lane Demo Tapes Drake 1
76 The Definitive Collection Stevie Wonder 37 [bf]
77 Erratic Cinematic Gerry Cinnamon 36 [bg]
78 Jolly Holiday Andre Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra 4
79 Music... The Air That I Breathe Cliff Richard 3
80 Believe Andrea Bocelli 3
81 Always in Between Jess Glynne 52 [bh]
82 Platinum Hits Jason Derulo 46
83 Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial Roddy Ricch 13
84 Greatest Hits Guns N' Roses 17 [bi]
85 Greatest Hits: God's Favorite Band Green Day 69 [bj]
86 Astroworld Travis Scott 16 [bk]
87 Changes Justin Bieber 1
88 I Cry When I Laugh Jess Glynne 59 [bl]
89 Harry Styles Harry Styles 53 [bm]
90 PTSD D-Block Europe 27 [bn]
91 Death Race for Love Juice Wrld 70 [bo]
92 Kiwanuka Michael Kiwanuka 4 [bp]
93 The Singles Phil Collins 48 [bq]
94 25 Adele 48 [br]
95 Huncholini the 1st M Huncho 5
96 Hot Pink Doja Cat 38

Bands formed[]

Bands reformed[]

  • Genesis
  • JLS (first reported in 2019, confirmed in 2020)
  • Little Man Tate
  • The Music

Bands disbanded[]

Deaths[]

Andrew Weatherall in 2009
Dame Vera Lynn in 1962

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  2. ^ Reached number 2 in 2019
  3. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  4. ^ Reached number 6 in 2019
  5. ^ Reached number 2 in 2019
  6. ^ Reached number 5 in 2019
  7. ^ Reached number 3 in 2019
  8. ^ Reached number 2 in 2019
  9. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  10. ^ Reached number 4 in 2019
  11. ^ Reached number 3 in 2019
  12. ^ Reached number 2 in 2021
  13. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  14. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  15. ^ Reached number 1 in 1981
  16. ^ Reached number 5 in 2017
  17. ^ Reached number 5 in 2019
  18. ^ Reached number 1 in 2017
  19. ^ Reached number 1 in 1978
  20. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  21. ^ Reached number 3 in 2019
  22. ^ Reached number 1 in 1992
  23. ^ Reached number 1 in 1984
  24. ^ Reached number 1 in 1995
  25. ^ Reached number 1 in 2010
  26. ^ Reached number 3 in 2018
  27. ^ Reached number 1 in 2005
  28. ^ Reached number 1 in 2000
  29. ^ Reached number 5 in 2017
  30. ^ Reached number 9 in 2019
  31. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  32. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  33. ^ Reached number 1 in 2003
  34. ^ Reached number 23 in 2021
  35. ^ Reached number 1 in 2013
  36. ^ Reached number 3 in 2007
  37. ^ Reached number 1 in 2018
  38. ^ Reached number 3 in 2018
  39. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  40. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  41. ^ Reached number 1 in 2006
  42. ^ Reached number 1 in 2006
  43. ^ Reached number 1 in 2014
  44. ^ Reached number 2 in 2002
  45. ^ Reached number 1 in 2011
  46. ^ Reached number 1 in 2018
  47. ^ Reached number 5 in 2019
  48. ^ Reached number 1 in 2018
  49. ^ Reached number 4 in 2009
  50. ^ Reached number 1 in 2007
  51. ^ Reached number 1 in 1994
  52. ^ Reached number 32 in 2021
  53. ^ Reached number 1 in 2014
  54. ^ Reached number 2 in 2017
  55. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  56. ^ Reached number 4 in 2003
  57. ^ Reached number 1 in 2019
  58. ^ Reached number 11 in 2008
  59. ^ Reached number 17 in 2019
  60. ^ Reached number 1 in 2018
  61. ^ Reached number 1 in 2004
  62. ^ Reached number 22 in 2017
  63. ^ Reached number 3 in 2018
  64. ^ Reached number 1 in 2015
  65. ^ Reached number 1 in 2017
  66. ^ Reached number 4 in 2019
  67. ^ Reached number 12 in 2019
  68. ^ Reached number 2 in 2019
  69. ^ Reached number 2 in 2006
  70. ^ Reached number 1 in 2015

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