UK charts to include sales at live shows

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Music bought from merch desks will count towards bands’ album placings

The UK’s Official Charts Company is to start including sales of records at live shows to its weekly album listings.

The introduction of their Lightning Live system means that every recording sold at merchandise desks will now count towards a band’s Official Albums Chart placing.

It follows the launch of the first-ever Official Progressive Albums Chart, after the firm entered a partnership with Prog magazine.

Official Charts Company boss Omar Maskatiya says: “The launch of Lightning Live follows approaches from both independent and major labels, who are increasingly using live events as a route to get their products to audiences.

“We strive constantly to ensure that the Official Charts reflects and responds to consumer behaviour. This move, – following a few months after the integration of streams –further underlines this strategy.”

This week’s Official Albums Chart includes Stereophonics at number 1, Bring Me The Horizon at 2, Iron Maiden at 4, Slayer at 11 and Muse at 25.

Martin Kielty
Freelance Online News Contributor

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.