After the success of some of the charts we have published recently bands are understandably keen to feature. I have been asked how a balance can be struck between shop sales and in particular album launches and to be honest there simply isn’t an easy answer. Bands have been very good in making sure I have their albums on time but of course the majority of the sales will always be at the launch. I suppose sensibly if a shop has the album for sale on the Monday with a launch not until the Friday then it gives customers the chance to buy and listen to the album before the launch but these days as more bands stream their albums that doesn’t apply like it used to either.
The Last Battle are a big band for us and yet we have sold very little of the new EP despite all their efforts to get it to us before their launch. We did of course sell tickets for the launch so benefited that way instead but understandably all the sales will have been at the launch. Hopefully the band will have recovered their outlay and who would deny that is a good thing. However next time I’m asked for a singles chart ……………