2011 in British music
This is a summary of 2011 in music in the United Kingdom.
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2010s in music in the UK |
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Events
- 1 January – Musicians honoured in the Queen's New Year Honours list include mezzo-soprano Felicity Palmer (CBE) and composer Howard Goodall (CBE), Richard Thompson (OBE) and Annie Lennox (OBE).
- 14 April – On his sixtieth birthday, Julian Lloyd Webber gives the première of American composer Eric Whitacre's "The River Cam", written specially for the occasion.
- 29 April – The wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton includes original music by Paul Mealor and John Rutter as well as traditional works by British composers such as Hubert Parry's setting of the anthem "I was glad" and William Walton's "Crown Imperial".
- 10–12 June – The Download Festival 2011 takes place at Donington Park. The main stage is headlined by Def Leppard, System of a Down and Linkin Park, the second stage by Pendulum, Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie, the Pepsi Max stage by Danzig, Funeral for a Friend and Frank Turner, the Red Bull Bedroom Jam stage by Modestep, Dangerous! and H.E.A.T., and the Jägermeister Acoustic stage by Skindred, Bowling for Soup and Dave McPherson.
- 11 June – Musicians honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honours list include Bryan Ferry (CBE), broadcaster Bob Harris (OBE) and jazz singer Claire Martin (OBE).
- 10 September – Edward Gardner conducted the Last Night of the Proms for the first time. The programme included works by Béla Bartók and Franz Liszt as well as the traditional Elgar, and the soloist for "Rule Britannia" was Susan Bullock. A highlight was the première of Peter Maxwell Davies's Musica benevolens.[1]
- 9 October – Sir Paul McCartney marries Nancy Shevell.[2]
- 18 October – Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani & Reni announce the reformation of The Stone Roses at London's Soho Hotel.
- 11 December – Little Mix emerge winners of the 2011 X Factor series. They are the first group entry to win in the programme's eight-year history.[3] Marcus Collins is named runner-up, while Amelia Lily and Misha B finish in third and fourth place respectively.
Publications
- Ian Bostridge – A Singer's Notebook
Classical music
New works
- Karl Jenkins – The Bards of Wales (cantata)
- Paul Mealor – Ubi Caritas et Amor
- Graham Waterhouse – Rhapsodie Macabre[4]
- Eric Whitacre – The River Cam
Opera
Albums
- Nicola Benedetti – Italia
- Alfie Boe – Alfie
- Bond – Play
- Katherine Jenkins – Daydream
- Paul Lewis – Schubert: Piano Sonatas
- Julian Lloyd Webber – The Art of Julian Lloyd Webber (compilation)
Field recordings
Film and incidental music
British music awards
BRIT Awards
The 2011 BRIT Awards were hosted by James Corden on 15 February 2011. The most notable winners were Tinie Tempah and Arcade Fire, both winning two awards.[6][7]
- British Male Solo Artist: Plan B
- British Female Solo Artist: Laura Marling
- British Breakthrough Act: Tinie Tempah
- British Group: Take That
- MasterCard British Album: Sigh No More – Mumford & Sons
- British Single: "Pass Out" – Tinie Tempah
- International Male Solo Artist: Cee Lo Green
- International Female Solo Artist: Rihanna
- International Breakthrough Act: Justin Bieber
- International Group: Arcade Fire
- International Album: The Suburbs – Arcade Fire
- British Producer: Markus Dravs
- Critics' Choice: Jessie J
Classical BRIT Awards
The 2011 Classical BRIT Awards were held on 12 May 2011 at the Royal Albert Hall, London and hosted by Myleene Klass.[8]
- Male Artist of the Year: Antonio Pappano
- Female Artist of the Year: Alison Balsom
- Newcomer Award: Vilde Frang
- Composer of the Year: Arvo Pärt
- Critics' Award: Tasmin Little
- Artist of the Decade: Il Divo
- Album of the Year: Moonlight Serenade – André Rieu and His Johann Strauss Orchestra
- Outstanding Contribution to Music: John Barry (posthumous)
Ivor Novello Awards
The 56th Ivor Novello Awards were held on 19 May 2011 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.[9][10]
- Best Song Musically and Lyrically: "Becoming a Jackal" – Villagers (written by Conor O'Brien)
- Best Contemporary Song: "Pass Out" – Tinie Tempah (written by Timothy McKenzie, Patrick Okogwu and Marc Williams)
- Album Award: The Defamation of Strickland Banks – Plan B
- Best Original Film Score: How to Train Your Dragon (composed by John Powell)
- Best Original Video Game Score: Napoleon: Total War (composed by Richard Beddow, Richard Birdsall and Ian Livingstone)
- Best Television Soundtrack: Any Human Heart (composed by Dan Jones)
- Songwriter of the Year: Benjamin Drew
- Most Performed Work: "She Said" – Plan B (written by Eric Appapoulay, Richard Cassell, Benjamin Drew and Tom Wright-Goss)
- Classical Music Award: Michael Nyman
- Inspiration Award: Dizzee Rascal
- Outstanding Song Collection: Steve Winwood
- Outstanding Contribution to British Music: Paul Rodgers
- International Achievement: Matthew Bellamy, Dominic Howard & Christopher Wolstenholme (Muse)
- Special International Award: Stephen Sondheim
Mercury Prize
The 2011 Barclaycard Mercury Prize was awarded on 6 September 2011 to PJ Harvey for her album Let England Shake. Harvey became the first artist to win the Mercury Prize twice.[11][12]
Popjustice £20 Music Prize
The 2011 Popjustice £20 Music Prize was awarded on 6 September 2011 to The Saturdays for their song "Higher".[13]
British Composer Awards
The 2011 British Composer Awards were held on 30 November 2011 at Stationers' Hall, London and hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenters Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Andrew McGregor, with the awards presented by Michael Berkeley. There was no award in the Sonic Art category in 2011.
- Instrumental Solo or Duo: Sonata for Cello & Piano – William Sweeney
- Chamber: String Quartet No. 2 – Anthony Payne
- Vocal: Five Larkin Songs – Huw Watkins
- Choral: Allele – Michael Zev Gordon
- Wind Band or Brass Band: In Pitch Black – Lucy Pankhurst
- Orchestral: Fantasias – Julian Anderson
- Stage Works: A Ring A Lamp A Thing – Orlando Gough
- Liturgical: Bell Mass – Julian Anderson
- Contemporary Jazz Composition: The Green Seagull – Tommy Evans
- Community or Educational Project: Consider the Lilies – John Barber
- Making Music Award: I can't find brumm... – Richard Bullen
- International Award: La Mattina – Bent Sørensen
- Outreach: PK – Graham Fitkin
The Record of the Year
The 2011 Record of the Year was awarded on 10 December 2011 to Lady Gaga for her song "Born This Way".
Charts and sales
Number-one singles
Chart date (week ending) | Song | Artist | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
1 January | "When We Collide" | Matt Cardle | 262,953 |
8 January | 113,037 | ||
15 January | "What's My Name?" | Rihanna featuring Drake | 53,018 |
22 January | "Grenade" | Bruno Mars | 149,834 |
29 January | 109,960 | ||
5 February | "We R Who We R" | Ke$ha | 90,139 |
12 February | "Price Tag" | Jessie J featuring B.o.B | 84,076 |
19 February | 95,697 | ||
26 February | "Someone Like You" | Adele | 111,739 |
5 March | 114,792 | ||
12 March | 116,347 | ||
19 March | 95,654 | ||
26 March | "Don't Hold Your Breath" | Nicole Scherzinger | 98,090 |
2 April | "Someone Like You" | Adele | 82,357 |
9 April | "On the Floor" | Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull | 133,179 |
16 April | 91,749 | ||
23 April | "Party Rock Anthem" | LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock | 91,421 |
30 April | 85,744 | ||
7 May | 73,076 | ||
14 May | 64,508 | ||
21 May | "The Lazy Song" | Bruno Mars | 67,837 |
28 May | "Give Me Everything" | Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer | 71,309 |
4 June | 95,848 | ||
11 June | 82,210 | ||
18 June | "Changed the Way You Kiss Me" | Example | 115,046 |
25 June | 75,252 | ||
2 July | "Don't Wanna Go Home" | Jason Derülo | 76,581 |
9 July | 60,316 | ||
16 July | "Louder" | DJ Fresh featuring Sian Evans | 140,750 |
23 July | "Glad You Came" | The Wanted | 117,165 |
30 July | 73,769 | ||
6 August | "She Makes Me Wanna" | JLS featuring Dev | 98,016 |
13 August | "Swagger Jagger" | Cher Lloyd | 66,316 |
20 August | "Promises" | Nero | 46,700 |
27 August | "Don't Go" | Wretch 32 featuring Josh Kumra | 76,495 |
3 September | "Heart Skips a Beat" | Olly Murs featuring Rizzle Kicks | 109,151 |
10 September | "Stay Awake" | Example | 73,402 |
17 September | "All About Tonight" | Pixie Lott | 88,893 |
24 September | "What Makes You Beautiful" | One Direction | 153,965 |
1 October | "No Regrets" | Dappy | 96,639 |
8 October | "Loca People" | Sak Noel | 75,161 |
15 October | "We Found Love" | Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris | 87,573 |
22 October | 106,553 | ||
29 October | 92,689 | ||
5 November | "Read All About It" | Professor Green featuring Emeli Sandé | 153,007 |
12 November | 85,302 | ||
19 November | "We Found Love" | Rihanna featuring Calvin Harris | 79,834 |
26 November | 66,941 | ||
3 December | 79,804 | ||
10 December | "Wishing on a Star" | X Factor Finalists 2011 featuring JLS & One Direction | 98,932 |
17 December | "Dance with Me Tonight" | Olly Murs | 46,584 |
24 December | "Cannonball" | Little Mix | 210,129 |
31 December | "Wherever You Are" | Military Wives & Gareth Malone | 555,622 |
Number-one albums
Chart date (week ending) | Album | Artist | Sales |
---|---|---|---|
1 January | Progress | Take That | 350,328 |
8 January | Loud | Rihanna | 76,237 |
15 January | 50,088 | ||
22 January | 44,827 | ||
29 January | Doo-Wops & Hooligans | Bruno Mars | 86,243 |
5 February | 21 | Adele | 208,090 |
12 February | 135,585 | ||
19 February | 134,241 | ||
26 February | 188,764 | ||
5 March | 173,718 | ||
12 March | 180,493 | ||
19 March | 161,580 | ||
26 March | 159,895 | ||
2 April | 156,162 | ||
9 April | 257,731 | ||
16 April | 114,476 | ||
23 April | Wasting Light | Foo Fighters | 114,557 |
30 April | 21 | Adele | 91,803 |
7 May | 73,771 | ||
14 May | 80,922 | ||
21 May | 70,362 | ||
28 May | 51,183 | ||
4 June | Born This Way | Lady Gaga | 215,639 |
11 June | 67,615 | ||
18 June | Suck It and See | Arctic Monkeys | 82,424 |
25 June | Progress | Take That | 77,720 |
2 July | Born This Way | Lady Gaga | 47,150 |
9 July | 4 | Beyoncé | 89,211 |
16 July | 44,929 | ||
23 July | 21 | Adele | 43,555 |
30 July | 46,648 | ||
6 August | Back to Black | Amy Winehouse | 44,076 |
13 August | 63,070 | ||
20 August | 43,726 | ||
27 August | Welcome Reality | Nero | 30,640 |
3 September | Echoes | Will Young | 65,773 |
10 September | I'm With You | Red Hot Chili Peppers | 71,858 |
17 September | Playing in the Shadows | Example | 56,224 |
24 September | + | Ed Sheeran | 102,350 |
1 October | Velociraptor! | Kasabian | 94,088 |
8 October | The Awakening | James Morrison | 62,181 |
15 October | 36,411 | ||
22 October | The Ultimate Collection | Steps | 34,200 |
29 October | Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds | Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds | 122,530 |
5 November | Mylo Xyloto | Coldplay | 208,343 |
12 November | Ceremonials | Florence and the Machine | 94,050 |
19 November | Someone To Watch Over Me | Susan Boyle | 72,745 |
26 November | Christmas | Michael Bublé | 85,787 |
3 December | Talk That Talk | Rihanna | 163,819 |
10 December | In Case You Didn't Know | Olly Murs | 148,532 |
17 December | Lioness: Hidden Treasures | Amy Winehouse | 194,966 |
24 December | Christmas | Michael Bublé | 269,665 |
31 December | 317,114 |
Number-one compilation albums
Chart date (week ending) | Album |
---|---|
1 January | Now 77 |
8 January | |
15 January | |
22 January | |
29 January | |
5 February | |
12 February | |
19 February | Love Songs – The Ultimate Collection |
26 February | BRIT Awards 2011 With MasterCard |
5 March | |
12 March | Anthems Hip Hop |
19 March | |
26 March | Massive R&B – Spring 2011 |
2 April | |
9 April | |
16 April | Ultimate Floorfillers |
23 April | Now 78 |
30 April | |
7 May | |
14 May | |
21 May | |
28 May | |
4 June | |
11 June | |
18 June | |
25 June | The Old Grey Whistle Test – 40th |
2 July | Now 78 |
9 July | Clubland 19 |
16 July | |
23 July | |
30 July | |
6 August | Now 79 |
13 August | |
20 August | |
27 August | |
3 September | |
10 September | |
17 September | |
24 September | |
1 October | |
8 October | Now R&B |
15 October | |
22 October | Now 79 |
29 October | |
5 November | Pop Party 9 |
12 November | BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge – Vol 6 |
19 November | Clubland 20 |
26 November | Pop Party 9 |
3 December | Now 80 |
10 December | |
17 December | |
24 December | |
31 December |
Best-selling singles of 2011
Best-selling albums of 2011
Notes:
- Reached number 1 in 2012
- Reached number 1 in 2012
- Reached number 1 in 2008
- Reached number 1 in 2009
- Reached number 1 in 2010
- Reached number 1 in 2010
- Reached number 1 in 2010
- Reached number 1 in 2009
- Reached number 3 in 2010
- Reached number 1 in 2010
- Reached number 5 in 2010
- Reached number 2 in 2010
Platinum records
For a record to be certified platinum, it must sell a minimum of 600,000 copies. However, not every song that sells 600,000 copies is given platinum certification and so this is not a complete list of songs that have sold 600,000 copies in 2011. Also note that a song certified platinum could have sold its 600,000th copy long before it is given certification.
Artist | Song | Date released | Date certified platinum |
---|---|---|---|
Cee Lo Green | "Forget You" | 4 October 2010 | 7 January 2011 |
Rihanna | "Only Girl (In the World)" | 25 October 2010 | 7 January 2011 |
Rihanna featuring Drake | "What's My Name?" | 20 December 2010 | 6 March 2011 |
Tinie Tempah | "Pass Out" | 17 April 2010 | 11 March 2011 |
Katy Perry | "Firework" | 26 November 2010 | 11 March 2011 |
Adele | "Someone Like You" | 24 January 2011 | 1 April 2011 |
Pitbull/Ne-Yo/Afrojack/Nayer | "Give Me Everything" | 1 April 2011 | 16 September 2011 |
Deaths
- 4 January
- Mick Karn – English multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter, 52
- Gerry Rafferty – Scottish singer-songwriter, 63
- 14 January – Trish Keenan, singer (Broadcast), 42 (swine flu).[20]
- 16 January – Steve Prestwich, British-born Australian drummer and songwriter (Cold Chisel, Little River Band), 56
- 26 January – Eddie Mordue, saxophonist, 83
- 28 January
- Raymond Cohen, violinist, 91
- Dame Margaret Price, operatic soprano, 69
- 30 January – John Barry, British film composer, 77
- 31 January – Mark Ryan, guitarist (Adam and the Ants), 51
- 3 February – Tony Levin, jazz drummer, 71
- 6 February
- Gary Moore, guitarist and songwriter, 58
- James Watson, trumpeter, 59
- 14 February – George Shearing, jazz pianist, 91
- 27 February – Margaret Eliot, music teacher, 97
- 8 March – Richard Campbell, cellist, 55
- 15 March
- Smiley Culture, reggae singer and DJ, 48 (stabbing)[21]
- Keith Fordyce, radio DJ and TV presenter, 82
- 17 March – J. B. Steane, music critic, 83
- 18 March – Jet Harris, guitarist (The Shadows), 71
- 20 March – Johnny Pearson, pianist, arranger and TV composer, 85
- 29 March – Robert Tear, operatic tenor, 72
- 31 March – Ishbel MacAskill, Scottish Gaelic singer and heritage campaigner, 70
- 25 April – Poly Styrene – singer, (X-Ray Spex), 53 (cancer)[22]
- 29 April – David Mason, trumpeter, 85
- 7 May – Big George, arranger, 53 (heart attack)[23]
- 19 May – Kathy Kirby, singer, 72
- 27 May – Gil Scott-Heron, singer, musician, poet, 62
- 29 May – Simon Brint, musician, composer, actor and comedian (Raw Sex), 60 (suicide)
- 10 June – Kenny Hawkes, DJ and music producer, 42 (liver failure)
- 22 June
- Cyril Ornadel, conductor and composer, 86
- Mike Waterson, folk singer, 70
- 24 June – Goff Richards, English composer, 66
- 9 July – Würzel, guitarist, 61
- 14 July – Eric Delaney, percussionist and bandleader, 87
- 15 July – Cuddly Dudley, rock and roll singer, 87
- 23 July – Amy Winehouse, singer, musician, 27[24] (alcohol poisoning)
- 3 August – Andrew McDermott, singer (Threshold), 45 (kidney failure)
- 15 August – Betty Thatcher, lyricist, 67
- 10 September – Graham Collier, jazz bassist, 74
- 21 September – John Du Cann, guitarist (Atomic Rooster), 66
- 2 October – David Bedford, composer, 74
- 5 October – Bert Jansch, singer, musician, 67
- 15 October – Betty Driver, singer and actress, 91
- 18 October – Bob Brunning, blues musician (Fleetwood Mac), 68
- 21 October – Edmundo Ros, Trinidadian band leader, 100
- 28 October – Beryl Davis, singer, 87
- 29 October – Sir Jimmy Savile, DJ, 84
- 6 November – Gordon Beck, jazz pianist and composer, 75
- 24 November – Ross MacManus, trumpeter, 84
- 26 November – Keef Hartley, drummer and bandleader, 67
- 6 December – Tony Fell, music publisher, 79
- 12 December – John Gardner, composer, 94
See also
References
- BBC Two – BBC Proms, 2011. Accessed 14 April 2013
- "Sir Paul McCartney marrying for the third time". BBC News. 9 October 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ITV (2011). "Little Mix". The X Factor. ITV. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- "Hommage à Liszt". Gasteig. 2011. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
- 'Neil Brand’s score for Underground: a preview' (28 September 2011) Silent London, silentlondon.co.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2011.
- "Brit Awards 2011: Winners". BBC News. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- Topping, Alexandra (15 February 2011). "Brit awards 2011: Take That win best British group 21 years after their debut". The Guardian. London, England: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- "Violinists dominate Classic Brit Awards". BBC News. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- Allen, Liam (19 May 2011). "Plan B wins three awards at Ivor Novellos". BBC News. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- Topping, Alexandra (19 May 2011). "Plan B aka Ben Drew takes top honours at Ivor Novello awards". The Guardian. London, England: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- "PJ Harvey wins Mercury Prize for second time". BBC News. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- Topping, Alexandra (6 September 2011). "PJ Harvey wins Mercury music prize for the second time". The Guardian. London, England: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- "2011 Twenty Quid Music Prize: Congratulations to The Saturdays". Popjustice. 7 September 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- "The Official Singles Chart 2011 Top 100". Music Week. London, England: Intent Media. 13 January 2012. p. 15.
- Williams, Paul (13 January 2012). "Singles". Music Week. London, England: Intent Media. pp. 14–15.
- Myers, Justin (5 July 2015). "Chart Day: Every end of year chart from 2005–2014". Official Charts Company.
- "The Official Albums Chart 2011 Top 100". Music Week. London, England: Intent Media. 13 January 2012. p. 14.
- Williams, Paul (13 January 2012). "Albums". Music Week. London, England: Intent Media. pp. 13–14.
- Lane, Dan (2 January 2012). "The Top 20 biggest selling albums of 2011 revealed!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- Long, Pat (18 January 2011). "Trish Keenan obituary". The Guardian.
- "Reggae star Smiley Culture stabbed himself during police raid". BBC News. 2 July 2013.
- "X-Ray Spex's Poly Styrene dies of cancer". NME. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- "BBC London radio presenter Big George dies". BBC News. 8 May 2011. Archived from the original on 12 May 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
- "Amy Winehouse found dead, aged 27". BBC News. BBC. 23 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2011.