Vinyl revival

Vinyl album sales exceed 1 million in 2014

Vinyl album sales in the UK exceeded the one million mark in 2014 for the first time since the 1990s Britpop era as “classic rock” fans snap up physical copies of Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd records. Whilst the music industry is adapting to a largely digital future, the attraction of a heavyweight 12” package, complete with artwork and sleeve-notes, has lured older record-buyers back to stores alongside a new generation of “hipster” collectors. There were three re-released Led Zeppelin albums and two Pink Floyd opuses, including their new release The Endless River, in the 2014 vinyl top ten. Arctic Monkeys and Jack White are the top-sellers, confirming vinyl’s renewed popularity with contemporary music fans. Vinyl is still a niche business, accounting for 2% of the UK recorded music market. Pink Floyd’s The Endless River, released in late 2014, sold just 6,000 copies, even though this was highest tally of any LP released since 1997. Artists see a vinyl release as a “badge of honour” with even One Direction releasing their new Four collection in the format. The primary purchasers are rock fans however and a new crop of bands led by Royal Blood and indie group Temples are joining the heritage acts among the year’s best-sellers. Vinyl sales UK album sales 2013

780,670

CD Digital 60.6m 32.6m

388,770 337,040

219,450 236,470 LP 0.78m

Other: 0.07m

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

One vinyl shopper surveyed by the BBC at the Rough Trade East record store in East London, said: “I think it’s sort of a hipster thing. Things that were cool decades ago, but fell out of fashion, are making a comeback.” Major labels can also sell heavyweight vinyl albums, promising an excellent sound reproduction when played on the right hi-fi equipment, for up to £25 to a hard-core of physical music buyers. Martin Talbot, Official Charts Chief Executive, said: “In scoring the biggest opening week for a vinyl album this millennium, The Endless River illustrates the British public’s renewed love for this format, which is on course to become a £20m business this year – an incredible turnaround from barely £3m just five years ago. This resurgence also underlines music fans’ continuing fascination with the album.” Gennaro Castaldo of the BPI said: “We have entered an exciting best-of- all-worlds era where there is space and scope for all kinds of music to be discovered and enjoyed in every type of way, including on vinyl once again. “Many of us assumed it had become an obsolete format, but while the flame may have flickered, it never quite went out, and we are now seeing a burgeoning resurgence in demand led by exciting new acts such as Royal Blood that is likely to keep vinyl on our high streets for many more years to come.”

Source Extract from Adam Sherwin’s article on 27 November 2014: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/vinyl-album-sales- exceed-1-million-in-2014-9887598.html [Accessed 5 May 2015] © The Independent Reading

1. Vinyl has regained popularity because…

a. it is the only way to listen to ‘classic rock’. b. Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd are more popular. c. contemporary musicians prefer it. d. fans enjoy the packaging and artwork. e. re-released albums sell well.

2. Is this statement true or false?

True False Vinyl sales in 2013 were more than twice those in the previous year.

3. Is this statement true or false?

True False CD sales in 2013 were more than twice digital sales.

4. What is the meaning of the clause ‘vinyl is still a niche business’?

a. Vinyl is available only in specialist shops. b. Relatively few people buy vinyl. c. Not many people have the equipment to play vinyl. d. Only serious collectors are interested in vinyl. e. Vinyl records are too expensive for most people.

5. Outline the main reasons why vinyl has increased in popularity in recent years.

In this question you will retrieve information and paraphrase it in your own words.

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6. In your own words explain why the article uses quotations from a number of different people.

In this question you will analyse the structure of the article and explain its context.

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7. Write a blog entry explaining how you prefer to buy or listen to music. You should write 200-300 words.

8. Using the information presented in the article, write a newspaper article reporting on the opening of a new shop selling vinyl in your local area. You should write 350-500 words.

Oracy

9. Prepare to participate in a group discussion on the topic ‘The music industry exploits its fans’. The discussion should last about 10 minutes and each person in the discussion will be expected to: • research the topic in detail; • present the information they have found; • give their own views; • respond to the views of others.