Female artists, along with a surprising resurgence from Oasis, drove UK music sales in 2025, leading to a record-breaking year for the industry. Combined sales rose by nearly 5% to 201 million albums sold or streamed, according to figures revealed by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Taylor Swift's 12th album, "The Life of a Showgirl," topped the charts as the year's biggest seller, registering 642,000 chart sales since its October release. Breakout British artists like Olivia Dean, whose album "The Art of Loving" was a bestseller, and Lola Young also contributed significantly to the industry's success.
Oasis experienced a massive comeback, fueled by their blockbuster reunion tour. The band sold over one million albums during the year. Their greatest hits compilation, "Time Flies," was the fourth biggest album of 2025, while "(What's The Story) Morning Glory" ranked seventh. The band also sold 1.4 million tickets for their comeback tour, demonstrating their enduring appeal.
The BPI reported that streaming now accounts for 89% of the overall music market. The Official Charts Company counts 1,000 streams of songs from an album as the equivalent of one album 'sale'.
The success of female artists and Oasis in 2025 highlights the diverse tastes of UK music consumers and the enduring power of both established and emerging talent. The figures suggest a healthy and evolving music industry, adapting to the changing ways in which people consume music.
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