British Music

Famous British Music Artists

From ‘Adam and the Ants’ to the Artic Monkeys, The Beatles to Blur, Coldplay to Duffy, Jimi Hendrix to Joss Stone, Maroon 5 and Motor Head to N-Dubz, Oasis to Pink Floyd, Robbie Williams to The Sex Pistols, Snow Patrol to Suede, Take That to The Who, The XX to the Yard Birds, British music has a rich and diverse music heritage and is thriving as it constantly re-invents itself.

The UK is the third biggest market in the world for sales of music. The industry estimates that it is worth £5billion a year and an export value of around £1.3 billion, the biggest export markets being the USA, China, India and Japan.

The music industry is a big employer here in the UK too, from the artists themselves to the music engineers and caterers when the bands go on tour. This creative sector is something that we excel at and can be rightfully proud of.

Over the years British Record Labels have been responsible for bringing many artists from obscurity to the centre stage.

Virgin Records founded in 1972, by British based entrepreneur Richard Branson. Early success in the British music industry helped catapult many artists to stardom and fame, and take his career and business to the next level. Richard sold his business to British music label EMI (The Electric and Musical Industries Ltd.) has re-entered the music business with a brand new label V2 Music.

Headquartered in London, Polydor records was founded in 1924. Amongst many many others, Polydor is the chosen record label of Slade, the Jam, Dundee band Snow Patrol and Mancunian Ian Brown.

UK Music , represents the interests of the UK music industry at all levels. Promoting the value of music to society, culture and the economy they are based in the aptly named British Music House, London. The UK music team is led by Feargal Sharkey of the Undertones and mid 80’s chart toppers such as ‘A Good Heart’ and ‘You little Thief’.

Britain hosts some of the most prestigious music festivals in the World including the quintessentially British Glastonbury Festival in Pilton Somerset first held the day after Jimi Hendrix died on 19th September 1970 where another iconic British act Marc Bolan played. Originally called the Glastonbury Fayre it was renamed the Glastonbury Festival in 1981 when New Order and Hawkwind headlined. Throughout the 90’s and 00’s the festival grew and great British acts continued to flock to perform including Blur, Simple Minds, Oasis, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, The Arctic Monkeys and Shirley Bassey.

In 2010 Glastonbury celebrated its’ 40th Birthday and still remains the “must see” (and be seen at) musical event in any calendar attended by the World’s glitterati.http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk For the many other British based festivals see http://www.thefestivalcalendar.co.uk/

The Royal Albert Hall is another iconic music venue. The building, based in South Kensington London, remains one of Britain’s most treasured and recognisable venues Worldwide. Since its opening by Queen Victoria in 1871, the world's leading artists from every kind of performance genre have appeared on its stage and each year it hosts a variety of performances including classical concerts, rock and pop, ballet and opera, tennis, award ceremonies, school and community events, charity performances and lavish banquets. For more information see http://www.royalalberthall.com/

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