Sync your diaries everybody, this is no April fools joke, the UK’s National Album Day really is returning on Saturday 15 Oct with ‘debut albums’ the theme for the proceedings.
It’s the fifth year that record industry trade group BPI and the Entertainment Retailers Association have staged the annual event to celebrate the album format, with support from sponsor Bowers & Wilkins and media partner BBC Sounds.
BPI boss Geoff Taylor and ERA chief Kim Bayley say in a joint statement: “Artists love telling their stories through the artform of the album and fans love to listen, but in a world where there is more streaming of individual songs, we take the appeal of the album format for granted.
National Album Day is about celebrating the continuing vitality and cultural relevance of the long player, in particular with the next generation of fans, and we invite everyone who loves the format to join in and enjoy this year’s National Album Day”.
Meanwhile, focusing on this year’s specific theme, Giles Pocock, VP Brand Marketing at Bowers & Wilkins, adds: “The debut album is an important milestone for any artist and remains such a pure form of storytelling.
Everything from the track order and artwork, through to the arrangements and choice of recording studio can feel like a big decision. We are pleased to continue our support for National Album Day, helping to celebrate those truly great debut albums that made their own rules and brought something truly unique into the world”.
