2015 in British music

none Timeline of musical events January 2015 May 2020 2015 2015 British music This is a summary of the year 2015 in British music. Events 5 January – An official statement from Glyndebourne confirms that Danielle De Niese and her husband, Gus Christie, chairman of Glyndebourne Opera, are expecting their first child.Glyndebourne website: "Glyndebourne is delighted to announce that Mr and Mrs Gus Christie are expecting a baby in May". Retrieved 6 January 2015 15 January – The nominations for the 2015 Brit Awards are announced, with Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and George Ezra dominating many of the categories.http://www.capitalfm.com/brits/news/2015-nominations-list/ BRIT Awards 2015 Nominations List: Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran and George Ezra lead the way! Capital FM Global Limited 15 January 2015 15 February 2015 22 January – It is announced that BBC Radio 1's annual Big Weekend event this year will be held at Earlham Park, Norwich.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-30934155 Radio 1's Big Weekend 2015 is coming to Norwich BBC Newsbeat BBC 22 January 2015 15 February 2015 8 February – Sam Smith is the big winner at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, winning Best New Artist, and Record and Song of the Year for "Stay with Me" from the album In the Lonely Hour, which subsequently won Best Vocal Album. 25 February – Ed Sheeran and Paloma Faith win Best British Male and Female Solo Artist at this year's Brit Awards, with x winning Best Album and "Uptown Funk" winning Best Single. Notable moments of the night include Kanye West's controversial performance of "All Day" and Madonna falling off stage during her performance of "Living for Love".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31633349 Brit Awards 2015: Madonna falls off stage BBC News BBC 26 February 2015 7 March 2015 27 February – Disgraced former glam rocker Gary Glitter is sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of sexual offences with minors dating back between 1975–1980 1 March – Audio streaming became incorporated into the UK Albums Chart. 3 March – The London Symphony Orchestra announces the appointment of Sir Simon Rattle as its next music director, effective September 2017, with an initial contract of 5 years.https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-appointed-music-director-london-symphony-orchestra Simon Rattle appointed music director of London Symphony Orchestra The Guardian Mark Brown 3 March 2015 8 March 2015 7 March – The BBC confirms that Electro Velvet's 1920s inspired song "Still in Love with You" has been chosen to represent the UK at this year's Eurovision Song Contest. 9 March Sam Smith releases a special remake of their song "Lay Me Down", featuring John Legend, as this year's official Comic Relief single. English National Opera announces the appointment of Cressida Pollock as interim Chief Executive Officer.http://www.eno.org/press/cressida-pollock-appointed-as-eno-interim-chief-executive-officer Cressida Pollock appointed as ENO Interim Chief Executive Officer English National Opera 9 March 2015 15 March 2015 10 March – Sarah Brightman confirms she has been working on a song with Andrew Lloyd Webber that she can perform in space aboard the International Space Station in September.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31813632 Sarah Brightman to perform Lloyd Webber song in space BBC News BBC 10 March 2015 11 March 2015 Brightman subsequently withdraws from the planned flight, citing family commitments.Singer Sarah Brightman calls off flight to space station 13 May 2015 11 March The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra announces the appointment of Thomas Dausgaard as its 11th chief conductor, effective with the 2016–2017 season.https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/thomas-dausgaard-sso BBC SSO new Chief Conductor announced at launch of orchestra's 2015/16 season BBC Media Centre 11 March 2015 15 March 2015 Simon Halsey is announced as the recipient of the Queen's Medal for Music 2014.http://www.gramophone.co.uk/classical-music-news/simon-halsey-awarded-the-queens-medal-for-music Simon Halsey awarded the Queen's Medal for Music Gramophone 11 March 2015 15 March 2015 18 March – Julian Lloyd Webber is confirmed as the Principal of Birmingham Conservatoire.http://www.classicfm.com/artists/julian-lloyd-webber/news/principal-birmingham-conservatoire/ Julian Lloyd Webber is new principal of Birmingham Conservatoire 20 May – Ye Yanchen's new work, Septet, to be premiered at St Illtud's Church, Llantwit Major, by soloists from China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts Orchestra.Vale of Glamorgan Festival https://web.archive.org/web/20150106162547/http://valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk/concerts/soloists-from-chinas-national-centre-for-the-performing-arts-orchestra-20th-may/ 6 January 2015 . Retrieved 6 January 2015 23 May – The United Kingdom is represented at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, by Electro Velvet, with the song "Still in Love with You".Roxburgh Gordon http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=electro_velvet_to_represent_the_united_kingdom Electro Velvet to represent the United Kingdom 7 March 2015 7 March 2015 Eurovision Song Contest They finish 24th out of 27 entries, scoring five points. 12 June – Musicians recognised in the 2015 Birthday Honours include conductor Sir Neville Marriner (Companion of Honour) composers Karl Jenkins and James MacMillan who receive knighthoods, and singers Michael Ball (OBE) and Van Morrison (knighthood)PRIME MINISTER’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2015 12–14 June – Download Festival 2015 takes place at Donington Park in Leicestershire. The main stage is headlined by Slipknot, Muse and Kiss, the Zippo encore stage by Black Stone Cherry, Marilyn Manson and Enter Shikari, the Maverick stage by Fightstar, Andrew W.K. and Yellowcard, Jake's Stage by A, Hey! Hello! and Suicidal Tendencies, and the Dog's Bed stage by Tim Vantol and Like a Storm. 21 June – Nadine Koutcher wins the 2015 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition.BBC Cardiff Singer of the World winner is crowned https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-33213145 BBC News September – A-level student Jessy McCabe persuades examination board Edexcel to ensure that female composers are in future included in its Music syllabus.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11855164/A-level-music-student-forces-exam-board-to-include-women-on-syllabus.html The Telegraph A-level music student forces exam board to include women on syllabus 10 September 2015 12 December 2016 21 September – English National Opera announces the appointments of Harry Brünjes as chairman and confirms Cressida Pollock as CEO for an additional three years.Imogen Tilden Brünjes and Pollock continue to steer the ENO ship https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/21/brunjes-pollock-steer-english-national-opera The Guardian 21 September 2015 23 September 2015 23 September – Welsh National Opera announces the appointment of Tomáš Hanus as music director for the 2016–2017 season, and of Carlo Rizzi as conductor laureate with immediate effect.http://www.wno.org.uk/news/wno-announces-new-music-director-and-new-conductor-laureate WNO announces new Music Director and new Conductor Laureate Welsh National Opera 23 September 2015 1 April 2016 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305202842/https://www.wno.org.uk/news/wno-announces-new-music-director-and-new-conductor-laureate dead 2 October – "Writing's on the Wall" by Sam Smith, the theme for the new James Bond movie Spectre, becomes the first ever Bond theme to reach number 1 in the UK.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34425299 Sam Smith's James Bond theme marks UK chart history BBC 2 October 2015 2 October 2015 23 October – "Hello", the lead single from Adele's third studio album 25, is released to intense global media attention. The album (released 20 November) becomes the fastest selling in UK chart history, ending the year on 2.5 million. 18 November – The Three Choirs Festival announces that Alexis Paterson will take over as chief executive in January 2016.http://www.3choirs.org/article/alexis-paterson-appointed-ceo-of-three-choirs-festival Alexis Paterson appointed ceo of Three Choirs Festival Three Choirs Festival Association 18 November 2015 21 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151121053527/http://www.3choirs.org/article/alexis-paterson-appointed-ceo-of-three-choirs-festival 21 November 2015 dead dmy-all 13 December – Louisa Johnson wins the twelfth series of The X Factor. Reggie 'n' Bollie are named runner-ups, while Ché Chesterman and Lauren Murray finish in third and fourth place respectively. December – As a result of a campaign led by student Jessy McCabe, exam board Edexcel announces that it has changed its A-level music syllabus to include female composers.https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/dec/16/a-level-music-female-composers-students-campaign-jessy-mccabe-edexcel A-level music to include female composers after student's campaign Nadia Khomami The Guardian 16 December 2015 12 December 2016 Television series 10 January Launch of the fourth series of The Voice UK. Return of Stars in Their Eyes after nearly ten years off air. 14 February – Peter Sarsfield wins the first revival series of Harry Hill's Stars in Their Eyes, impersonating Frankie Valli.http://shows.stv.tv/stars-in-their-eyes/latest/310721-peter-sarsfield-wins-stars-in-their-eyes-not-live-final-as-frankie-valli/ Peter Sarsfield wins Stars in their Eyes Not Live Final as Frankie Valli STV News STV 17 February 2015 19 February 2015 20 February 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150220020400/http://shows.stv.tv/stars-in-their-eyes/latest/310721-peter-sarsfield-wins-stars-in-their-eyes-not-live-final-as-frankie-valli/ dead 16 January – Sound of Song, presented by Neil BrandBBC Media Centre. Retrieved 6 January 2015 26 January – Launch of new music based entertainment show, South Side Story. 2 February – Global Radio, the owners of pop music channel Heart TV, are reprimanded by Ofcom after the channel played 72 seconds more than the permitted amount of advertising during one particular hour in October 2014. Global says the incident occurred when a commercial break was pushed to the end of an hour, creating too much advertising time for the following hour.http://radiotoday.co.uk/2015/02/heart-tv-in-breach-for-too-many-adverts/ Heart TV in breach for too many adverts Radio Today 2 February 2015 3 February 2015 14 February – Stars in Their Eyes is cancelled again after critical reviews of its revamped format. 7 March – Reginald D. Hunter's Songs of the South begins on BBC Two."Reginald D Hunter's Songs of the South, BBC Two, review: 'fascinating'", The Telegraph, 8 March 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015 26 May – The BBC announces that its music panel quiz Never Mind the Buzzcocks is to end after 18 years and 28 series.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32889471 Never Mind The Buzzcocks to end after 18 years BBC News BBC 26 May 2015 26 May 2015 28 June – Pappano's Classical Voices begins on BBC Four.BBC Four – Pappano's Classical Voices. Retrieved 28 June 2015 29 August – Launch of the twelfth series of The X Factor. 19 December – Jay McGuinness of The Wanted and his dance partner Aliona Vilani win the thirteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35136848 Strictly Come Dancing winner crowned BBC News BBC 19 December 2015 6 January 2016 20 December – The Sound of Music Live is broadcast on ITV, starring Kara Tointon and Julian Ovenden.Kara Tointon shocks fans with incredible vocals as she plays Maria in The Sound Of Music live https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/kara-tointon-shocks-fans-incredible-7048037 The Mirror 21 December 2015 Publications Karl Jenkins – Still with the MusicBoosey & Hawkes. Retrieved 9 March 2016 Artists and groups reformed February 2019 Bay City Rollers Black Grape The Bluetones Busted Faithless The King Blues Lush Simply Red Supertramp We've Got a Fuzzbox and We're Gonna Use It Groups on hiatus February 2019 Blur The Saturdays Groups disbanded February 2019 Does It Offend You, Yeah? Heart In Hand Flesh for Lulu Kingsland Road Klaxons Motörhead Neon Jungle Noah and the Whale Ph.D Rise to Remain Stereo Kicks Classical works Eleanor Alberga – Arise, Athena!Erica Jeal Last Night of the Proms review – Alsop controls the crowd with ease https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/13/prom-76-bbcso-alsop-kaufmann-grosvenor-alberga The Guardian 13 September 2015 27 November 2016 Julian Anderson In lieblicher Bläue (Violin Concerto)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/classicalmusic/11471532/London-Philharmonic-Orchestra-and-Carolin-Widmann-Royal-Festival-Hall-review-divine.html London Philharmonic Orchestra and Carolin Widmann, Royal Festival, Hall, review: 'divine' The Daily Telegraph Ivan Hewett 15 March 2015 15 March 2015 Van Gogh Bluehttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/08/arditti-quartet-nash-ensemble-wigmore-hall-london-review-julian-anderson Arditti Quartet; Nash Ensemble reviews – New music from Jarrell, Birtwistle, Woolrich and Anderson The Guardian Andrew Clements 8 November 2015 27 November 2016 Richard Ayres – No 48 (In the Night Studio)https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/09/bbcso-volkov-review-barbican-london-richard-ayres BBCSO/Volkov review: charming, witty and disconcerting The Guardian Andrew Clements 9 October 2015 27 November 2016 Guy Barker – The Lanterne of LightProm 69, BBC Proms/BBC Radio 3, 6 September 2015 Gerald Barry – The One-Armed Pianist'Objects at an Exhibition', Science Museum, London https://blog.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects-at-an-exhibition-experience-the-science-museum-as-never-before/ 2020-05-26 Sally Beamish – "Be still" (Introit)BBC Radio 3, Choral Evensong, 4 March 2015 Luke Bedford Instabilityhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/03/bbc-philharmonic-mena-prom20-review BBC Philharmonic/Mena review – a palpable sense of commitment The Guardian George Hall 3 August 2015 3 August 2015 Saxophone Quartethttp://www.ldsm.org.uk/international-festival/2015-08-04-apollo-saxophone-quartet Lake District Summer Music programme, 4 August 2015 27 November 2016 28 November 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161128051055/http://www.ldsm.org.uk/international-festival/2015-08-04-apollo-saxophone-quartet dead Fiona Bennett – The New Lady Radnor's Suite Judith Bingham Ghostly GraceJudith Bingham, "How I wrote the music for the reinterment of King Richard III". Gramophone blog entry, 18 March 2015 Zodiack Harrison Birtwistle The Curehttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/14/the-corridorthe-cure-review-birtwistle-unveils-lyrical-sequel-to-orpheus-story The Corridor/The Cure review – Birtwistle unveils lyrical sequel to Orpheus story The Guardian Andrew Clements 14 June 2015 14 June 2015 The Silk House Sequences Victoria Borisova-Ollas – ... and time is running past midnight ...Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra programme, 22/23 October 2015 Mark Bowden and Owen Sheers – A Violence of Giftshttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/19/bbcnow-brabbins-bowden-sheers-a-violence-of-gifts-review BBCNOW/Brabbins/A Violence of Gifts review – particle physics complexity The Guardian Rian Evans 19 April 2015 23 May 2015 Gary Carpenter – Dadavillehttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/17/proms-first-night-review-off-to-a-flying-start Proms First Night review: off to a flying start The Guardian Tim Ashley 17 July 2015 27 November 2016 Pete Churchill – Echoes: A Song of Polandhttp://www.herefordtimes.com/leisure/threechoirsfestival/13423975.display/ Three Choirs Festival presents the following events for today Hereford Times 1 August 2015 27 November 2016 James Clapperton – Northern Skyhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/26/red-notegriffyn-ensemble-review-kings-college-chapel-aberdeen Red Note/Griffyn Ensemble review – two premieres and performances worlds apart The Guardian Kate Molleson 26 October 2015 27 November 2016 Anna Clyne – The SeamstressLawrence A Johnson, 'Clyne's Seamstress could use more stitchwork in mixed CSO premiere'. Chicago Classical Review, 29 May 2015 Edward Cowie – Three Spitfire Motets'BBC Singers at RAF Museum' programme, 18 September 2015 Paul Crabtree – O Icarus Laurence Crane: Chamber Symphony No 2 ('The Australian')http://www.londonsinfonietta.org.uk/feldman-for-samuel-beckett London Sinfonietta programme, 10 October 2015 27 November 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20150911221059/http://www.londonsinfonietta.org.uk/feldman-for-samuel-beckett 11 September 2015 dead Tansy Davies – Re-greeninghttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/07/national-youth-orchestra-mark-elder-maltings-concert-hall-snape NYO/Elder review – remarkable, electrifying Mahler and enchanting Tansy Davies The Guardian Andrew Clements 7 August 2015 27 November 2016 Benjamin Ellin – Miyabi – Concerto for Violin and OrchestraPhilharmonia Orchestra, programme for 3 September 2015, Cadogan Hall David Fennessy – Hirta Roundshttp://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/vorbericht-musiker-jetzt-uebernehmt-ihr-1.2544203 Musiker, jetzt übernehmt ihr! Süddeutsche Zeitung Rita Argauer 30 June 2015 27 November 2016 Michael Finnissy – Jannehttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/17/bbcsso-volkov-rachlin-prom-42-sibelius-review BBCSSO/Volkov review – Sibelius that didn't shake the soul as it should The Guardian Martin Kettle 17 August 2015 31 August 2015 Peter Fribbins – Violin ConcertoWhat's on at Cadogan Hall. Retrieved 10 January 2015 Alexander Goehr Variations (Homage to Haydn), for solo pianohttp://www.abqjournal.com/611256/entertainment/a-huge-undertaking.html Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival features the largest ensemble the event ever organized Albuquerque Journal David Steinberg 12 July 2015 27 November 2016 Seven Impromptus, op 96, for two pianos'Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival Premieres Two New Works by Alexander Goehr'. Schott EAM page, 1 July 2015 Helen Grime – Concerto for clarinet and trumpethttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/08/halle-orchestra-markus-stenz-review-helen-grime-double-concerto Halle/Stenz review – Grime's double concerto is ambitious and formally satisfying The Guardian Alfred Hickling 8 May 2015 27 November 2016 Barry Guy – Mr Babbage is Coming to Dinner Robin Holloway Soldered Schumann Silvered Schuberthttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/16/soldered-schumann-silvered-schubert-robin-holloway-review Soldered Schumann/Silvered Schubert review – idiomatic and radical reworkings The Guardian Andrew Clements 16 February 2015 27 November 2016 Europa and the Bull (tuba concerto)https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/09/royal-liverpool-philharmonic-manze-review-holloway-premiere Royal Liverpool Philharmonic/Manze review – Holloway premiere lets tuba sing The Guardian Alfred Hickling 9 October 2015 27 November 2016 Mica Levi – Greezyhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/london-sinfonietta-de-ridder-review-mica-levi London Sinfonietta/De Ridder review – one of their best performances in years The Guardian Guy Dammann 1 March 2015 8 March 2015 James MacMillan A Little Masshttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/30/rlpo-james-macmillan-review-liverpool RLPO/MacMillan review – an uncompromising tapestry of orchestral colour The Guardian Alfred Hickling 30 March 2015 27 November 2016 Symphony No 4https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/04/bbcsso-runnicles-review-prom-24-macmillan-mahler BBCSSO/Runnicles review – MacMillan premiere and the raw power of Mahler The Guardian Tim Ashley 4 August 2015 27 November 2016 Colin Matthews and Michael Morpurgo – The Pied Piper of Hamelinhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/09/pied-piper-of-hamelin-colin-matthews-lpo-jurowski-review The Pied Piper of Hamelin review – Matthews's tale is beautifully judged The Guardian Erica Jeal 9 February 2015 27 November 2016 David Matthews – Symphony No 8Faber Music page on David Matthews' Symphony No 8, 20 April 2015 Melinda Maxwell – FRACTURES: Monk Unpackedhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/classical-music/birmingham-contemporary-music-group-review/ Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, CBSO Centre, review: 'a lucky-dip programme' The Daily Telegraph John Allison 16 November 2015 27 November 2016 Christopher Mayo – Supermarine Anna Meredith – Smatter Haulerhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/03/aurora-orchestra-collon-prom-22-review Aurora Orchestra/Collon review – memorable for all the right reasons The Guardian George Hall 3 August 2015 27 November 2016 Thea Musgrave – Power Play Mark Simpson Israfelhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/03/bbc-scottish-symphony-orchestra-andrew-litton-glasgow-city-halls-review BBCSSO/Litton review – exhilarating, until it became exhausting The Guardian Kate Molleson 3 April 2015 27 November 2016 The Immortal (text by Melanie Challenger)https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/05/the-immortalsimpson-review-blazingly-original-oratorio The Immortal/Mark Simpson review – a blazingly original oratorio The Guardian Alfred Hickling 5 July 2015 27 November 2016 Howard Skempton – The Rime of the Ancient Marinerhttp://www.bcmg.org.uk/whats-on/bcmg-on-tour-2015-16/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/ Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, 5 December 2015 programme 27 November 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160809205856/http://www.bcmg.org.uk/whats-on/bcmg-on-tour-2015-16/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner/ 9 August 2016 dead Errollyn Wallen – Rebuttal Blues No 1 Bertram Wee – DithyrambsBBC Proms, Proms Chamber Music 4, 10 August 2015, Cadogan Hall Judith Weir – Good Morning, Midnighthttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/08/aurora-orchestra-collon-connolly-good-morning-midnight-wigmore-hall-review Aurora Orchestra/Collon/Connolly review – Weir's song cycle is sweet but never saccharine The Guardian Erica Jeal 8 June 2015 27 November 2016 Michael Wolters – Requiem to LetBirmingham Weekender, Requiem to Let Hugh Wood – Epithalamionhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/23/prom-7-bbc-symphony-orchestra-davis-simpson-review Prom 7: BBCSO/Davis/Simpson review – Hugh Wood draws inspiration from Donne The Guardian Andrew Clements 23 July 2015 27 November 2016 Raymond Yiu – Symphonyhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/aug/26/prom-54-bbcsogardner-review-poetic-rendering-of-loss-and-remembering BBCSO/Gardner review – poetic rendering of loss and remembering The Guardian Andrew Clements 26 August 2015 27 November 2016 Opera 21 May – UK premiere of Gaetano Donizetti's Poliuto at Glyndebourne.Glyndebourne – Events. Retrieved 28 January 2015 Charlotte Bray and Amy Rosenthal – Entanglementhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/07/entanglement-that-man-stephen-ward-review Entanglement/That Man Stephen Ward review – notorious deaths retold The Guardian Rian Evans 7 July 2015 27 November 2016 Tansy Davies and Nick Drake – Between Worldshttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/apr/12/english-national-opera-barbican-between-worlds-tansy-davies-review Between Worlds review – nothing like as affecting as it ought to be The Guardian Andrew Clements 12 April 2015 27 November 2016 Matt Rogers and Sally O'Reilly – The Virtues of Thingshttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/03/the-virtues-of-things-review The Virtues of Things review – clear-sighted tale of a family facing the future The Guardian George Hall 3 May 2015 27 November 2016 Joby Talbot and Gene Scheer – Everesthttp://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/columnists/scott-cantrell/20150131-opera-trouble-on-the-operatic-mountains.ece Opera: Trouble on the operatic mountains Dallas Morning News Scott Cantrell 31 January 2015 27 November 2016 Musical theatre Bend It Like Beckham the Musical, with music by Howard Goodall, lyrics by Charles Hart, and book by Gurinder Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges School of Rock, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book by Julian Fellowes The Mirror Never Lies, music by Juan Iglesias, book and lyrics by Joe Giuffre, based on a novel by Barbara PymRADA: The Mirror Never Lies – a new musical https://web.archive.org/web/20151208163737/https://www.rada.ac.uk/whats-on/other-events/the-mirror-never-lies 8 December 2015 . Retrieved 4 December 2015 Musical films Kill Your Friends, starring Nicholas Hoult and Georgia King.Yamato Jen Jim Piddock Joins Britpop Comedy Adaptation 'Kill Your Friends' https://deadline.com/2014/03/jim-piddock-joins-britpop-comedy-adaptation-kill-your-friends-692852/ 12 March 2014 Deadline Hollywood 3 March 2014 London Road, starring Olivia Colman and Anita Dobsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/09/london-road-serial-killer-film-musical-rufus-norris-interview London Road: unlike any serial killer film you've seen before Tom Seymour 9 June 2015 The Guardian Film scores and incidental music Film Craig Armstrong – Far from the Madding Crowd Patrick Doyle – Cinderella George Fenton – Absolutely Anything Henry Jackman – Kingsman: The Secret Service Television Anne Dudley – Poldark Debbie Wiseman – Wolf HallDebbie Wiseman official website https://web.archive.org/web/20150108011820/http://www.debbiewiseman.co.uk/credits/film-tv.shtml 8 January 2015 . Retrieved 28 January 2015 British music awards Brit Awards See 2015 Brit Awards British Composer Awards Amateur or Young Performers: Kate Whitley – Alivehttps://www.mus.cam.ac.uk/news/music-alumna-kate-whitley-wins-award-at-british-composer-awards Music alumna, Kate Whitley, wins British Composer Award University of Cambridge 28 February 2019 Choral: James Dillon – Stabat Mater dolorosahttps://britishcomposerawards.com/2015-british-composer-award-winners-announced/ 2015 British Composer Award Winners announced British Composer Awards 28 February 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190228192421/https://britishcomposerawards.com/2015-british-composer-award-winners-announced/ 28 February 2019 dead Community or Educational Project: Stuart Hancock – Snapshot Songs Contemporary Jazz Composition: Trish Clowes – The Fox, The Parakeet & The Chestnut Large Chamber: Sinan Savaskan – Many stares (through semi-nocturnal Zeiss-Blink) – Module 30 Liturgical: Michael Finnissy – John the Baptist Orchestral: Harrison Birtwistle – Responses: Sweet disorder and the carefully careless Small Chamber: Julian Anderson – String Quartet No. 2 Solo or Duo: Michael Finnissy – Beat Generation Ballads Sonic Art: Yann Seznec – Currents Stage Works: Julian Anderson – Thebans Wind Band or Brass Band: Rory Boyle – Muckle Flugga Charts and sales Notable events and records On 10 July 2015, the chart week changed from Sunday–Saturday to Friday–Thursday, with the first chart covering Sunday 5 July to Thursday 9 July. This chart move is to align the chart week with the new Global Release Day (Friday) for music.http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-chart-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-week-ahead__9971/ The Official Chart: Everything you need to know about the week ahead Official Charts Company Martin Talbot 4 July 2015http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/global-release-day-new-music-fridays-and-the-official-chart-to-kick-off-your-weekend-from-next-month__9801/?Day=&Month=01&Year=1985 Global Release Day: New Music Fridays and The Official Chart to kick off your weekend from next month Official Charts Company Rob Copsey 10 June 2015 Pharrell Williams set an all-time record when "Happy" notched 64 consecutive weeks in the top 75 of the singles chart. Adele's 25 became the fastest-selling UK album of all time, beating the record previously held by Oasis' Be Here Now in 1997.2015-11-27 Adele's 25 makes UK chart history with 800,000 album sales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34948022 2026-05-22 BBC News en-GB Jess Glynne scored three UK number-one singles and two from the previous year, tying here with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini as the British women with the most UK number-one singles.Ottewill Jim 24 August 2015 Jess Glynne equals chart history with fifth number one https://www.prsformusic.com/m-magazine/news/jess-glynne-equals-chart-history-with-fifth-number-one live https://web.archive.org/web/20260317125329/https://www.prsformusic.com/m-magazine/news/jess-glynne-equals-chart-history-with-fifth-number-one 17 March 2026 22 May 2026 PRS for Music In December, Justin Bieber's songs "Sorry" and "Love Yourself" claimed the top 2 spots on the singles chart during the same week, marking the first time this was accomplished since Madonna in 1985.Acts that have held Number 1 and 2 at the same time on the Official Singles Chart https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/acts-that-have-held-number-1-and-2-at-the-same-time-on-the-official-singles-chart__17787/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250917210656/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/acts-that-have-held-number-1-and-2-at-the-same-time-on-the-official-singles-chart__17787/ 2025-09-17 2026-05-22 Official Charts en "Love Yourself" went on to replace "Sorry" in the top position, making Bieber the first artist since Elvis Presley in 2005 to knock themselves off the top spot.Copsey Rob 26 July 2024 Artists who replaced themselves at Number 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/artists-who-replaced-themselves-at-number-1-on-the-official-uk-singles-chart__34061/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20260515190128/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/artists-who-replaced-themselves-at-number-1-on-the-official-uk-singles-chart__34061/ 15 May 2026 22 May 2026 Official Charts Number-one singles The singles chart includes a proportion for streaming. +KeyBest performing single of the year Chart date(week ending) Song Artist(s) Chart sales References1st ref: chart position; 2nd: chart sales (sales + streams/100) lower-alpha OCC 3 January "Uptown Funk" Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars 186,655 UK Singles Chart 3 January 2015http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/official-charts-analysis-sheeran-s-x-scores-12th-week-at-no-1-with-sales-of-211-168/060439 Official Charts Analysis: Sheeran's x scores 12th week at No.1 with sales of 211,168 Music Week 2 January 2015 subscription 10 January 156,335 UK Singles Chart 10 January 2015http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-hozier-s-take-me-to-church-hits-top-10-for-the-first-time-with-32-309-sales/060447 Official Charts Analysis: Uptown Funk! maintains No.1 position after 156,335 sales Music Week 11 January 2015 subscription 17 January 129,871 UK Singles Chart 17 January 2015http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-uptown-funk-holds-on-to-no-1-for-fourth-week-with-129-871-sales-2/060517 Official Charts Analysis: Uptown Funk holds on to No.1 for fourth week with 129,871 sales Music Week 17 January 2015 subscription 24 January 125,948 UK Singles Chart 24 January 2015http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-uptown-funk-holds-on-to-no-1-for-fifth-week-with-sales-of-125-948/060581 Official Charts Analysis: Uptown Funk holds on to No.1 for fifth week with sales of 125,948 Music Week 24 January 2015 subscription 31 January 120,443 UK Singles Chart 31 January 2015http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-ronson-first-artist-to-top-singles-and-albums-charts-since-2013/060661 Official Charts Analysis: Ronson first artist to top singles and albums charts since 2013 Music Week 31 January 2015 subscription 7 February 101,962 UK Singles Chart 7 February 2015http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-meghan-trainor-debut-pushes-ronson-from-top-albums-spot-with-sales-of-25-246/060734 Official Charts Analysis: Meghan Trainor debut pushes Ronson from top albums spot with sales of 25,246 Music Week 7 February 2015 subscription 14 February "Love Me like You Do" Ellie Goulding 172,368 UK Singles Chart 14 February 2015http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-ellie-goulding-knocks-uptown-funk-from-singles-top-spot-with-sales-of-172-368/060806 Official Charts Analysis: Ellie Goulding knocks Uptown Funk! from singles top spot with sales of 172,368 Music Week 14 February 2015 subscription 21 February 118,225 UK Singles Chart 21 February 2015http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-ellie-goulding-knocks-uptown-funk-from-singles-top-spot-with-sales-of-172-368/060806http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/official-charts-analysis-ellie-goulding-s-love-me-like-you-do-holds-onto-no-1-in-singles-chart-with-sales-of-118-225/060882 Official Charts Analysis: Ellie Goulding's Love Me Like You Do holds onto No.1 with sales of 118,225 Music Week 21 February 2015 subscription 13 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20150220165439/http://www.musicweek.com/businessanalysis/read/official-charts-analysis-ellie-goulding-knocks-uptown-funk-from-singles-top-spot-with-sales-of-172-368/060806http:/www.musicweek.com/news/read/official-charts-analysis-ellie-goulding-s-love-me-like-you-do-holds-onto-no-1-in-singles-chart-with-sales-of-118-225/060882 20 February 2015 dead 28 February 118,343 UK Singles Chart 28 February 2015 7 March 98,167 UK Singles Chart 7 March 2015 14 March "King" Years & Years 100,955 UK Singles Chart 14 March 2015 21 March "Lay Me Down" Sam Smith featuring John Legend 105,070 UK Singles Chart 21 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402203807/http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20150315 2 April 2015 28 March 68,739 UK Singles Chart 28 March 2015 4 April "Hold My Hand" Jess Glynne 97,494 UK Singles Chart 4 April 2015 11 April 80,177 UK Singles Chart 11 April 2015 18 April 57,372 UK Singles Chart 18 April 2015 25 April "See You Again" Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth 193,018 UK Singles Chart 25 April 2015 2 May 141,671 UK Singles Chart 2 May 2015 9 May "Cheerleader" OMI 112,626 UK Singles Chart 9 May 2015 16 May 96,533 UK Singles Chart 16 May 2015 23 May 89,201 UK Singles Chart 23 May 2015 30 May 76,572 UK Singles Chart 30 May 2015 6 June "Want to Want Me" Jason Derulo 127,113 UK Singles Chart 6 June 2015 13 June 75,066 UK Singles Chart 13 June 2015 20 June 65,300 UK Singles Chart 20 June 2015 27 June 57,039 UK Singles Chart 27 June 2015 4 July "Not Letting Go" Tinie Tempah featuring Jess Glynne 110,001 UK Singles Chart 4 July 2015 9 July "Are You with Me" Lost Frequencies 83,712 UK Singles Chart 9 July 2015 16 July "House Every Weekend" David Zowie 54,929* UK Singles Chart 16 July 2015 23 July "Black Magic" Little Mix 112,684 UK Singles Chart 23 July 2015 30 July 65,720 UK Singles Chart 30 July 2015 6 August 59,877 UK Singles Chart 6 August 2015 13 August "Drag Me Down" One Direction 76,015 UK Singles Chart 13 August 2015 20 August "Marvin Gaye" Charlie Puth featuring Meghan Trainor 94,455 UK Singles Chart 20 August 2015 27 August "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" Jess Glynne 61,994 UK Singles Chart 27 August 2015 3 September "Fight Song" Rachel Platten 58,581 UK Singles Chart 3 September 2015 10 September "What Do You Mean?" Justin Bieber 83,746 UK Singles Chart 10 September 2015 17 September "Easy Love" Sigala 82,237 UK Singles Chart 17 September 2015 24 September "What Do You Mean?" Justin Bieber 66,876 UK Singles Chart 24 September 2015 1 October 60,782 UK Singles Chart 1 October 2015 8 October "Writing's on the Wall" Sam Smith 69,604 UK Singles Chart 8 October 2015 15 October "What Do You Mean?" Justin Bieber 50,927 UK Singles Chart 15 October 2015 22 October 46,533 UK Singles Chart 22 October 2015 29 October "Turn the Music Louder (Rumble)" KDA featuring Tinie Tempah & Katy B 60,334 UK Singles Chart 29 October 2015 5 November "Hello" Adele 332,599 UK Singles Chart 5 November 2015 12 November 179,406 UK Singles Chart 12 November 2015 19 November 127,075 UK Singles Chart 19 November 2015 26 November "Sorry" Justin Bieber 104,472 UK Singles Chart 26 November 2015 3 December 111,655 UK Singles Chart 3 December 2015 10 December "Love Yourself" 115,821 UK Singles Chart 10 December 2015 17 December 113,709 UK Singles Chart 17 December 2015 24 December 102,084 UK Singles Chart 24 December 2015 31 December "A Bridge over You" NHS Choir 127,490 UK Singles Chart 31 December 2015 lower-alpha Number-one albums The 'sales' figures since the chart week ending 7 March include a proportion for audio streams. +KeyBest performing album of the year Chart date(week ending) Album Artist Sales / chart sales References1st ref: chart position; 2nd: chart sales (sales + streams) lower-alpha OCC 3 January x Ed Sheeran 211,168 UK Albums Chart 3 January 2015 10 January Wanted on Voyage George Ezra 72,121 UK Albums Chart 10 January 2015 17 January In the Lonely Hour Sam Smith 34,551 UK Albums Chart 17 January 2015 24 January Wanted on Voyage George Ezra 24,553 UK Albums Chart 24 January 2015 31 January Uptown Special Mark Ronson 33,380 UK Albums Chart 31 January 2015 7 February Title Meghan Trainor 25,246 UK Albums Chart 7 February 2015 14 February Shadows in the Night Bob Dylan 22,031 UK Albums Chart 14 February 2015 21 February In the Lonely Hour Sam Smith 34,422 UK Albums Chart 21 February 2015 28 February Smoke + Mirrors Imagine Dragons 25,675 UK Albums Chart 28 February 2015 7 March In the Lonely Hour Sam Smith 40,874 UK Albums Chart 7 March 2015 14 March Chasing Yesterday Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds 89,110 UK Albums Chart 14 March 2015 21 March In the Lonely Hour Sam Smith 49,482 UK Albums Chart 21 March 2015 28 March To Pimp a Butterfly Kendrick Lamar 29,695 UK Albums Chart 28 March 2015 4 April Chaos and the Calm James Bay 64,440 UK Albums Chart 4 April 2015 11 April The Day Is My Enemy The Prodigy 45,302 UK Albums Chart 11 April 2015 18 April Future Hearts All Time Low 19,463 UK Albums Chart 18 April 2015 25 April The Ultimate Collection Paul Simon 15,487 UK Albums Chart 25 April 2015 2 May Stages Josh Groban 20,092 UK Albums Chart 2 May 2015 9 May The Magic Whip Blur 43,746 UK Albums Chart 9 May 2015 16 May Wilder Mind Mumford & Sons 81,351 UK Albums Chart 16 May 2015 23 May 29,922 UK Albums Chart 23 May 2015 30 May The Desired Effect Brandon Flowers 31,077 UK Albums Chart 30 May 2015 6 June 85% Proof Will Young 21,321 UK Albums Chart 6 June 2015 13 June How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful Florence and the Machine 68,788 UK Albums Chart 13 June 2015 20 June Drones Muse 72,863 UK Albums Chart 20 June 2015 27 June 24,445 UK Albums Chart 27 June 2015 4 July How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful Florence and the Machine 14,419 UK Albums Chart 4 July 2015 9 July The Definitive Collective Lionel Richie 19,896 UK Albums Chart 9 July 2015 16 July x Ed Sheeran 19,754* UK Albums Chart 16 July 2015 23 July Communion Years & Years 55,592 UK Albums Chart 23 July 2015 30 July 20,627 UK Albums Chart 30 July 2015 6 August Born in the Echoes The Chemical Brothers 18,056 UK Albums Chart 6 August 2015 13 August Marks to Prove It The Maccabees 16,082 UK Albums Chart 13 August 2015 20 August Compton Dr. Dre 45,721 UK Albums Chart 20 August 2015 27 August The Very Best of Cilla Black Cilla Black 12,965 UK Albums Chart 27 August 2015 3 September I Cry When I Laugh Jess Glynne 59,117 UK Albums Chart 3 September 2015 10 September Beauty Behind the Madness The Weeknd 34,819 UK Albums Chart 10 September 2015 17 September The Book of Souls Iron Maiden 60,249 UK Albums Chart 17 September 2015 24 September Keep the Village Alive Stereophonics 44,868 UK Albums Chart 24 September 2015 1 October Rattle That Lock David Gilmour 48,075 UK Albums Chart 1 October 2015 8 October Caracal Disclosure 26,789 UK Albums Chart 8 October 2015 15 October We the Generation Rudimental 22,718 UK Albums Chart 15 October 2015 22 October Faithless 2.0 Faithless 12,341 UK Albums Chart 22 October 2015 29 October Jamie Lawson Jamie Lawson 20,351 UK Albums Chart 29 October 2015 5 November Sounds Good Feels Good 5 Seconds of Summer 42,459 UK Albums Chart 5 November 2015 12 November If I Can Dream Elvis Presley 79,053 UK Albums Chart 12 November 2015 19 November 88,603 UK Albums Chart 19 November 2015 26 November Made in the A.M. One Direction 93,189 UK Albums Chart 26 November 2015 3 December 25 Adele 800,307 UK Albums Chart 3 December 2015 10 December 439,337 UK Albums Chart 10 December 2015 17 December 353,765 UK Albums Chart 17 December 2015 24 December 376,716 UK Albums Chart 24 December 2015 31 December 449,870 UK Albums Chart 31 December 2015 "lower-alpha" Number-one compilation albums +KeyBest-selling compilation of the year Chart date(week ending) Album Sales References1st ref: chart position; 2nd: sales lower-alpha OCC 3 January Now 89 150,703 UK Compilation Chart 3 January 2015 10 January 43,093 UK Compilation Chart 10 January 2015 17 January 21,264 UK Compilation Chart 17 January 2015 24 January 15,962 UK Compilation Chart 24 January 2015 31 January The Weekender 15,230 UK Compilation Chart 31 January 2015 7 February Now Power Ballads 17,427 UK Compilation Chart 7 February 2015 14 February 18,601 UK Compilation Chart 14 February 2015 21 February Fifty Shades Of Grey 41,080 UK Compilation Chart 21 February 2015 28 February 45,684 UK Compilation Chart 28 February 2015 7 March 36,038 UK Compilation Chart 7 March 2015 14 March 27,755 UK Compilation Chart 14 March 2015 21 March 29,294 UK Compilation Chart 21 March 2015 28 March 15,253 UK Compilation Chart 28 March 2015 4 April Move On Up: The Very Best of Northern Soul 14,236 UK Compilation Chart 4 April 2015 11 April Now 90 264,159 UK Compilation Chart 11 April 2015 18 April 105,020 UK Compilation Chart 18 April 2015 25 April 63,008 UK Compilation Chart 25 April 2015 2 May 44,426 UK Compilation Chart 2 May 2015 9 May 38,959 UK Compilation Chart 9 May 2015 16 May 29,014 UK Compilation Chart 16 May 2015 23 May 25,964 UK Compilation Chart 23 May 2015 30 May 24,789 UK Compilation Chart 30 May 2015 6 June 22,554 UK Compilation Chart 6 June 2015 13 June Now Classic Rock 18,131 UK Compilation Chart 13 June 2015 20 June TFI Friday 18,668 UK Compilation Chart 20 June 2015 27 June Now Classic Rock 33,238 UK Compilation Chart 27 June 2015 4 July Now Summer Party 33,340 UK Compilation Chart 4 July 2015 9 July 34,885 UK Compilation Chart 9 July 2015 16 July 23,726* UK Compilation Chart 16 July 2015 23 July 36,471 UK Compilation Chart 23 July 2015 30 July 31,070 UK Compilation Chart 30 July 2015 6 August Now 91 224,172 UK Compilation Chart 6 August 2015 13 August 118,073 UK Compilation Chart 13 August 2015 20 August 66,074 UK Compilation Chart 20 August 2015 27 August 45,642 UK Compilation Chart 27 August 2015 3 September 34,933 UK Compilation Chart 3 September 2015 10 September 30,229 UK Compilation Chart 10 September 2015 17 September 22,327 UK Compilation Chart 17 September 2015 24 September 18,383 UK Compilation Chart 24 September 2015 1 October 16,051 UK Compilation Chart 1 October 2015 8 October 14,775 UK Compilation Chart 8 October 2015 15 October Keep Calm and Unwind 14,966 UK Compilation Chart 15 October 2015 22 October Rapper's Delight 16,247 UK Compilation Chart 22 October 2015 29 October 14,634 UK Compilation Chart 29 October 2015 5 November Now Singer 13,438 UK Compilation Chart 5 November 2015 12 November BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge 2015 23,194 UK Compilation Chart 12 November 2015 19 November The Annual 2016 22,692 UK Compilation Chart 19 November 2015 26 November 21,132 UK Compilation Chart 26 November 2015 3 December Now 92 211,548 UK Compilation Chart 3 December 2015 10 December 159,716 UK Compilation Chart 10 December 2015 17 December 120,919 UK Compilation Chart 17 December 2015 24 December 111,116 UK Compilation Chart 24 December 2015 31 December 146,967 UK Compilation Chart 31 December 2015 "lower-alpha" Top singles of the year This chart was published by the Official Charts Company in January 2016 showing sales and streams for the whole of 2015.http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-songs-of-2015-revealed__13270/ The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2015 revealed Rob Copsey 4 January 2016 Official Charts Companyhttp://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-most-streamed-songs-of-2015-revealed__13274/ The Official Top 40 most streamed songs of 2015 revealed Rob Copsey 6 January 2016 Official Charts Company Combinedposition Title Artist(s) Peakposition Combinedsales 1 "Uptown Funk" Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars 1 1,760,000 2 "Cheerleader" OMI 1 1,520,000 3 "Take Me to Church" Hozier 2 1,250,000 4 "Love Me like You Do" Ellie Goulding 1 1,190,000 5 "See You Again" Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth 1 1,170,000 6 "Hello" Adele 1 1,120,000 7 "Lean On" Major Lazer & DJ Snake featuring MØ 2 8 "Hold Back the River" James Bay 2 9 "What Do You Mean?"Justin Bieber 1 988,000 10 "Sorry" 1 934,000 11 "King" Years & Years 1 12 "Thinking Out Loud" Ed Sheeran 3Reached number 1 in 2014 no1 917,000 13 "Sugar" Maroon 5 7 14 "Hold My Hand" Jess Glynne 1 876,000 15 "Where Are Ü Now" Jack Ü & Justin Bieber 3 874,000 16 "Want to Want Me" Jason Derulo 1 17 "Are You with Me" Lost Frequencies 1 18 "FourFiveSeconds" Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney 3 19 "Shut Up + Dance" Walk the Moon 4 20 "How Deep Is Your Love" Calvin Harris & Disciples 2 21 "Can't Feel My Face" The Weeknd 3 778,000 22 "Firestone" Kygo featuring Conrad Sewell 8 23 "Trap Queen" Fetty Wap 8 24 "Love Yourself" Justin Bieber 1 719,000 25 "The Hills"The Weeknd 3 600,000 26 "Earned It" 4 27 "Black Magic" Little Mix 1 600,000 28 "Wish You Were Mine" Philip George 2 600,000 29 "Photograph" Ed Sheeran 15 30 "The Nights" Avicii 6 31 "Runaway (U & I)" Galantis 4 32 "Elastic Heart" Sia 10 33 "Bloodstream" Ed Sheeran & Rudimental 2 34 "Marvin Gaye" Charlie Puth featuring Meghan Trainor 1 35 "Up" Olly Murs featuring Demi Lovato 4 36 "Not Letting Go" Tinie Tempah featuring Jess Glynne 1 37 "Shine" Years & Years 2 38 "Ayo" Chris Brown & Tyga 6 39 "Don't Be So Hard on Yourself" Jess Glynne 1 40 "Hotline Bling" Drake 3 41 "Let It Go" James Bay 10 42 "Chandelier" Sia 6 43 "Jealous" Nick Jonas 2 44 "I Really Like You" Carly Rae Jepsen 3 45 "GDFR" Flo Rida featuring Sage the Gemini & Lookas 3 46 "Bills" LunchMoney Lewis 2 47 "Never Forget You" MNEK & Zara Larsson 5 48 "Drag Me Down" One Direction 1 49 "House Every Weekend" David Zowie 1 50 "Heroes (We Could Be)" Alesso featuring Tove Lo 6 Top albums of the year This chart published by the Official Charts Company on 5 January 2016 shows combined sales for artist albums from sales and streams for the whole of 2015.http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-official-top-40-biggest-albums-of-2015-revealed__13270/ The Official Top 40 Biggest Artist Albums of 2015 revealed Rob Copsey 5 January 2016 Official Charts Company No. Number Title Artist Peakposition Sales 1 25 Adele 1 2,496,000 2 x Ed Sheeran 1 971,000 3 In the Lonely Hour Sam Smith Sam Smith (singer) 1 893,000 4 If I Can Dream Elvis Presley 1 881,000 5 Purpose Justin Bieber 2 645,000 6 1989 Taylor Swift 2Reached number 1 in 2014 no1 7 I Cry When I Laugh Jess Glynne 1 583,000 8 Chaos and the Calm James Bay James Bay (singer) 1 518,000 9 A Head Full of Dreams Coldplay 2Reached number 1 in 2016 no2 507,000 10 Wanted on Voyage George Ezra 1 11 Get Weird Little Mix 2 389,000 12 Hozier Hozier 3 13 Never Been Better Olly Murs 3Reached number 1 in 2014 no3 14 Made in the A.M. One Direction 1 15 Wilder Mind Mumford & Sons 1 308,000 16 Another Country Rod Stewart 2 300,000Certified Awards http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx British Phonographic Industry 8 January 2016 24 January 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130124005813/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx dead 17 Title Meghan Trainor 1 18 Alone in the Universe Jeff Lynne's ELO 4 19 How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful Florence and the Machine 1 20 Communion Years & Years 1 260,000 21 Chasing Yesterday Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds 1 22 Royal Blood Royal Blood 3Reached Number 1 in 2014 no4 23 A Perfect Contradiction Paloma Faith 5Reached Number 2 in 2014 no5 24 1000 Forms of Fear Sia 5 25 The Very Best of Cilla Black Cilla Black 1 26 Beauty Behind the Madness The Weeknd 1 27 The Ultimate Collection Paul Simon 1 181,000 28 American Beauty/American Psycho Fall Out Boy 2 29 Dark Sky Island Enya 4 30 Drones Muse 1 31 Chapter One Ella Henderson 7Reached Number 1 in 2014 no6 32 A Year of Songs Alexander Armstrong Alexander Armstrong (comedian) 6 33 III Take That 11Reached Number 1 in 2014 no7 34 Delirium Ellie Goulding 3 35 Rattle That Lock David Gilmour 1 36 The Balcony Catfish and the Bottlemen 18Reached Number 10 in 2014 no8 37 Liquid Spirit Gregory Porter 9 38 + Ed Sheeran 9Reached Number 1 in 2011 no9 39 Keep the Village Alive Stereophonics 1 40 Christmas Michael Bublé 12Reached Number 1 in 2011 no10 41 Cinema Andrea Bocelli 3 42 1 The Beatles 5Reached Number 1 in 2000 no11 43 The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac 7Reached Number 6 in 2009 no12 44 Motion Calvin Harris 8Reached Number 2 in 2014 no13 45 21 Adele 11Reached Number 1 in 2011 no14 46 The Definitive Collection Lionel Richie 1 47 V Maroon 5 13Reached Number 4 in 2014 no15 48 Smoke + Mirrors Imagine Dragons 1 49 If You're Reading This It's Too Late Drake 3 50 Four One Direction 7Reached Number 1 in 2014 no16 Notes: Deaths 1 January – Matthew Cogley, musician and songwriter (Failsafe), 30"Matthew Cogley dead: The Inbetweeners musician passes away on New Year's Day", Mirror, 3 January 2015 6 January – Lance Percival, actor and singer, 81http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/185934/percival PERCIVAL – Deaths Announcements – Telegraph Announcements 11 January 2015 9 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150109224318/http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/185934/percival dead 22 January – Joan Hinde, trumpet player, 81 27 January – Margot Moir, Scottish-born Australian singer (The Moir Sisters), 55http://www.noise11.com/news/margot-moir-of-the-moir-sisters-dead-at-55-20150126 R.I.P Margot Moir Of The Moir Sisters 1959-2015 - Noise11.com 29 January – Danny McCulloch, 69, bassist (Eric Burdon & The Animals) 12 February – Steve Strange, singer (Visage), 55 (heart attack)http://www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/national/11791090.New_Romantic_pioneer_Strange_dies/ New Romantic pioneer Strange dies 13 February – John McCabe, British composer and pianist, 75Composer and pianist John McCabe dies aged 75 16 February – Gavin Clark, British songwriter and singer with the bands Sunhouse, Clayhill and U.N.K.L.E, 46Gavin Clark obituary | Pop and rock | The Guardian 22 February – Chris Rainbow, rock singer and musician (The Alan Parsons Project), 68http://ultimateclassicrock.com/chris-rainbow-dies/ Chris Rainbow, Singer With Alan Parsons Project and Camel, Dies 16 March – Andy Fraser, composer and bassist (Free), 62http://ultimateclassicrock.com/andy-fraser-dies/ Free Bassist Andy Fraser Dies at 62 21 March – Jackie Trent, singer-songwriter and actress, 74https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32004996 Singer-songwriter Jackie Trent dies, aged 74 22 March 2015 bbc.co.uk 23 March Roy Douglas, composer, 107https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11494520/Roy-Douglas-composer-obituary.html Roy Douglas, composer – obituary Lil Chris, singer-songwriter, musician, 24 26 March – John Renbourn, guitarist and songwriter (Pentangle), 70 28 March Josie Jones, singer (The Mighty Wah!)http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-musician-pete-wylie-heartbroken-8940589 Pete Wylie heartbroken after death of The Mighty Wah! performer Josie Jones Lorna Hughes 28 March 2015 (death announced on this date) Ronald Stevenson, composer and pianist, 87http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-ronald-stevenson-composer-and-pianist-1-3733549 Obituary: Ronald Stevenson, composer and pianist The Scotsman Alasdair Steven 31 March 2015 27 November 2016 1 April – Dave Ball, musician (Procol Harum), 65http://dmme.net/dave-ball-passed-away/ Dave Ball passed away 3 April – Andrew Porter, organist, music critic, and opera director, 86https://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2015/04/03/397295421/multifaceted-music-critic-andrew-porter-dies-at-86 Multifaceted Music Critic Andrew Porter Dies At 86 10 April – Ronald Hambleton, English-born Canadian broadcaster and music critic (Toronto Star), 97https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2015/04/16/veteran-writer-ronald-hambleton-dies-at-97.html Veteran writer Ronald Hambleton dies at 97 – Toronto Star 13 April – Ronnie Carroll, Northern Irish singer, 80 17 April – Brian Couzens, music industry executive (Chandos Records), 86https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/brian-couzens-businessman-who-founded-the-chandos-record-label-and-led-the-way-for-independents-in-the-classical-music-market-10204822.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/brian-couzens-businessman-who-founded-the-chandos-record-label-and-led-the-way-for-independents-in-the-classical-music-market-10204822.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Brian Couzens: Businessman who founded the Chandos record label and 26 April 2015 6 May – Errol Brown, Jamaican-born British singer (Hot Chocolate), 71https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/errol-brown-dead-hot-chocolate-singer-has-passed-away-10229763.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/errol-brown-dead-hot-chocolate-singer-has-passed-away-10229763.html 1 May 2022 subscription Errol Brown: Frontman of Hot Chocolate dies aged 71 6 May 2015 15 May – Ross Dawson, English drummer (Late of the Pier)https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/21/late-of-the-pier-drummer-ross-dawson-dies Late of the Pier drummer Ross Dawson dies following 'tragic accident' Guardian music 21 May 2015 The Guardian 16 May – Flora MacNeil, Scottish Gaelic singer, 86https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-32763529 Flora MacNeil, the "Queen of Gaelic singers", dies at the age of 86 16 May 2015 bbc.com 21 May – Twinkle, British singer-songwriter, 66 (cancer)http://hub.contactmusic.com/news/sixties-singer-twinkle-dies_4744371 Sixties Singer Twinkle Dies 23 May 2015 23 May 2015 24 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150524062040/http://hub.contactmusic.com/news/sixties-singer-twinkle-dies_4744371 dead 28 May – Johnny Keating, Scottish musician, songwriter and arranger, 87 4 June – Allan Fryer, Scottish-born Australian musician (Heaven), 60 (cancer)http://loudwire.com/heaven-allan-fryer-dies-cancer-battle/ Heaven Vocalist Allan Fryer Dies After Cancer Battle 5 June – Nick Marsh, singer and musician (Flesh for Lulu), 53 (cancer)The Urban Voodoo Machine's Nick Marsh dies at 53 12 June – Ernest Tomlinson, composer, 90Ernest Tomlinson (1924–2015) has died at 90 https://web.archive.org/web/20150614071857/http://www.classicalmusicmagazine.org/2015/06/ernest-tomlinson-1924-2015-has-died-at-90/ 14 June 2015 27 June – Chris Squire, bassist (Yes), 67 (acute erythroid leukemia)https://pitchfork.com/news/59686-yes-bassist-chris-squire-has-died/ Yes Bassist Chris Squire Has Died – Pitchfork 29 June – Bruce Rowland, drummer (Fairport Convention), 74 1 July Val Doonican, Irish-born singer, 88 Edward Greenfield, music critic and broadcaster, 86https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jul/02/edward-greenfield Edward Greenfield obituary David McKie Meirion Bowen 2 July 2015 The Guardian 13 July – Eric Wrixon (Them, Thin Lizzy), 68http://www.hotpress.com/Eric-Wrixon/news/RIP-Eric-Wrixon/14591410.html RIP Eric Wrixon – Music – News – Hot Press 22 July – Eddie Hardin, singer-songwriter and pianist (The Spencer Davis Group and Axis Point), 66 1 August – Cilla Black, singer and presenter, 72 12 August – John Scott, organist and choirmaster, 59http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/about/news/342/john-scott-1956-2015 News – About – Saint Thomas Church 19 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150815031431/http://www.saintthomaschurch.org/about/news/342/john-scott-1956-2015 15 August 2015 dead 14 August – Jazz Summers, music manager (Scissor Sisters, The Verve, Snow Patrol), 71 (lung cancer)http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a663615/former-scissor-sisters-the-verve-and-lisa-stansfield-manager-jazz-summers-dies-aged-71.html#~pls7t4xfXrSTen Music industry manager Jazz Summers dies 15 August 2015 16 August 2015 16 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150816090742/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a663615/former-scissor-sisters-the-verve-and-lisa-stansfield-manager-jazz-summers-dies-aged-71.html#~pls7t4xfXrSTen dead 8 October – Jim Diamond, Scottish singer, songwriter, 64 11 October – Carey Lander, keyboardist, singer (Camera Obscura), 33 13 October – Duncan Druce, English composer and musicologist, 76https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11936649/Duncan-Druce-composer-obituary.html Duncan Druce, composer – obituary The Daily Telegraph 16 October 2015 17 October 2015 28 October – Diane Charlemagne, singer (52nd Street, Urban Cookie Collective), 51 (cancer) 9 November – Andy White, Scottish musician, drummer, 85 11 November – Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, drummer (Motörhead), 61 28 November – Wayne Bickerton, songwriter, record producer, and music executive, 74http://www.udiscovermusic.com/wayne-bickerton-rip Wayne Bickerton RIP – uDiscover 30 November 2015 17 December – Mick Lynch, Irish singer, musician (Stump), 56 (cancer) 28 December John Bradbury, drummer (The Specials), 62https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35194738 Specials drummer John Bradbury dies 29 December 2015 bbc.co.uk Guru Josh, techno producer, musician, 51 (suicide)https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/05/guru-josh Guru Josh obituary The Guardian 5 January 2016 Sweeting Adam 23 February 2019 Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, singer, songwriter, musician (Motörhead, Hawkwind), 70 (cancer) See also 2015 in British radio 2015 in British television 2015 in the United Kingdom List of British films of 2015 References 30em 2015