Independent music in the UK is set to grow for the fifth consecutive year

By Tom NewmanNovember 15, 202225 mins read

The UK independent music sector is set to grow its hold on market share for the fifth year in a row in 2022.

New analysis from BPI, the representative voice for independent major record labels across the UK, highlights the independent record labels’ share of the UK recorded music market. In the first ten months of the year, independently-released music made up to 28.6% of the UK music market, up from 26.9% for the whole of 2021. This figure is up almost a third (30%) from 2017, when independents claimed a 22.1% share.

This growth is seen across sales and streams, particularly in the albums market, where independents accounted for four in every ten (40.5%) vinyl LP and CD sales during October, compared to a 32.2% share over the same month in 2021.

This is led by Arctic Monkeys’ (who dominate the lists below) seventh studio album The Car. In the week following its release, according to Official Charts Company data, The Car earned one of the highest weekly vinyl LP sales of the century. In the first two weeks of release, Arctic Monkeys’ latest album surpassed 100,000 sales, excluding streaming.

The biggest debut album of the year so far, including sales and streams, comes from British indie rock band Wet Leg. Their self-titled album, released in April this year, has sold more than 55,000 CD, vinyl and cassettee copies in the UK. These two albums, along with the ten listed below, were among nearly 60 independent albums that have reached the Top 10 in the year to date.

It’s a sign of just how vibrant and diverse the UK music industry is that independent labels are set to increase their share of the market for a fifth successive year in 2022. This growth is built on a rich tapestry of talent, from singer-songwriters and rock groups to pop stars and rappers, all supported by a network of hundreds of indie labels who are creating further diversity in the market and giving artists real choice in how to release their music.
Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive, BPI, BRIT Awards & Mercury Prize