mxdwn.co.uk » PPL https://www.mxdwn.co.uk all that matters in music in the UK Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:26:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 Queen Named The UK’s Most Listened To Rock Artist This Century https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/queen-named-the-uks-most-listened-to-rock-artist-this-century/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/queen-named-the-uks-most-listened-to-rock-artist-this-century/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:07:30 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=113665 The UK’s  most played rock act of the 21st century has been revealed as Queen, according to a new PPL chart, as part of National Album Day proceedings. 

According to the statistics, the band have accumulated over 400 million seconds of airplay on tv and radio. This is equivalent to a whopping 12 and a half years of nonstop listening, ‘Its A Kind Of Magic’, taking the cake as the top track.

According to the company themselves: “PPL, which licenses recorded music for use on UK radio and television, and in public spaces such as bars, restaurants and gyms, compiled the chart using extensive airplay reporting data from radio and TV broadcasters across the country.” 

The top ten was released as well, with the following acts co-dominating our ears since the year 2000.

1 Queen

2 David Bowie 

3 U2

4 Oasis 

5 Fleetwood Mac 

6 Stereophonics 

7 The Rolling Stones 

8 The Police 

9 The Killers

10 Kings of Leon  


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Peter Leathem, the CEO of PPL, spoke on the importance of a study like this

He said “This chart underlines how rock music across the decades continues to thrive on UK airwaves. Congratulations to Queen on this great accolade in such a significant anniversary year for their first number one album.”

“It’s a testament to their expansive and much-loved music catalogue that they continue to mean so much to UK audiences to this very day.“

Former Queen guitarist Brian May spoke about the achievement

He said: “Astounding news! Bearing in mind that most of Queen’s major works were done in the 20th century, it’s amazing to top a 21st century list. Big thanks to all our fans.”

Queen are set to release a 50th anniversary vinyl reissue of ‘A Night At The Opera,’ the iconic album featuring the legendary hit “Bohemian Rhapsody”,  on National Album Day, October 18. The special edition will be issued globally on crystal clear vinyl with gold labels.

 

]]> https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/queen-named-the-uks-most-listened-to-rock-artist-this-century/feed/ 0 Pink Has Been Named UK’s Most Played Female Artist of this Century https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pink-has-been-named-uks-most-played-female-artist-of-this-century/ https://www.mxdwn.co.uk/news/pink-has-been-named-uks-most-played-female-artist-of-this-century/#comments Tue, 12 Oct 2021 11:20:54 +0000 http://www.mxdwn.co.uk/?p=44650 In celebration of this year’s National Album Day, PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) has released a list of the most played female artists of the 21st century. The report is based on airplay data and music usage from UK radio stations and TV channels. The US pop star Pink hit the number one spot and beats off the competition of other female artists like Adele, Madonna or Rihanna.

Pink whose career began in 1995 earned three UK No1 singles for “Lady Marmalade” in 2001, “Just Little Pill” in 2022 and “So What” in 2008. She also had three No 1 Albums with Funhouse (2008), Beautiful Trauma (2017) and Hurts 2B Human (2019). She had many more Top 10 over the two decades of her career. Pink’s best selling single in the UK was “Just Give Me A Reason” from 2013, which gathered 1.6 million chart sales.

Within the Top 20 most played female artists, more than a third are British musicians with Adele and Little Mix hitting the top ten.

Chief Executive Officer of PPL Peter Leatham commented: “National Album Day is a fantastic platform to showcase the importance of the album format and PPL is proud to be part of the celebrations this year with our chart of the century’s most-played female artists“.

“This chart brings together an incredible array of talent who have recorded some of the UK’s favourite music, including a number of the biggest and most influential albums of all time“.

The fourth edition of the National Album Day will take place on 16th October and honours the art of the album. “This year, it will spotlight women artists and their huge contribution to music and culture through the format”. It will be presented alongside BBC Sounds and Bowers & Wilkins. 


Kylie Minogue who also reached the top 10 on the list has been recently announced as National Album Day ambassador. Minogue replied to the news: “I’m so proud to be a part of National Album Day alongside such amazing, inspirational female artists!”. “It’s mind-blowing to me and I’m so touched to know my music is continuing to be enjoyed by so many people!”  she continues.


Minogue also celebrates the anniversary edition of her album from 2001, Fever which will be released in multiple formats. The reissue of the album will be available on 15th October in the UK and Australia, and 19th November for the rest of the world. It can be pre-ordered here.

The full Top 20 most played female artists of the 21st century are as follows:

1. P!nk
2. Madonna
3. Katy Perry
4. Rihanna
5. Lady Gaga
6. Adele
7. Beyoncé
8. Kylie Minogue
9. Little Mix
10. Whitney Houston
11. Taylor Swift
12. Sugababes
13. Kelly Clarkson
14. Dua Lipa
15. Ellie Goulding
16. Christina Aguilera
17. Diana Ross
18. Jess Glynne
19. Rita Ora
20. Ariana Grande

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