The emotional moment The Lottery Winners found out they’d landed number one on the UK albums chart has been captured on video.
The Leigh indie pop band released their fifth studio album, Anxiety Replacement Therapy, to critical acclaim at the end of April, and found themselves up against heavyweights like Jessie Ware, US band The National, and British rapper Nines, as well as several other anticipated new releases, as they battled for the top spot on the UK album charts.
As the days went on last week, the four-piece were comfortably leading the charge to the top and it looked sure that they clinch number one, but nothing was set in stone, and all would be revealed when Friday rolled around.
After eagerly awaiting confirmation, the Official Charts Company revealed last Friday that the group’s album had, in fact, debuted at number one.
It’s the band’s first number one album of their career.
♥ JACKPOT! ♥
The Lottery Winners' (@LotteryWinners) Anxiety Replacement Therapy is your brand-new Number 1 album 🏆
According to the Official Charts Company, Anxiety Replacement Therapy was the biggest release of the week on both physical formats and digital downloads, and not only that, but it also topped the Official Record Store Chart as the best-selling album of the past seven days in independent UK record shops too.
“Anxiety Replacement Therapy is the official UK number 1 album,” the band said in a statement on social media last Friday.
“This feels like a dream.
“We want to wholeheartedly thank every single one of you for your love and support. Together we have achieved something truly monumental and we are now in the musical history books indefinitely. Thank you from the bottom of our ART.”
The band has also shared a video of the exact moment they were told they had secured the number one spot on the album charts.
The emotional video shared to Instagram yesterday shows the band receive confirmation of their monumental achievement, and then proceed to burst into happy tears – with cheers, heartfelt group hugs, and general celebrations all following.
There’s also heartwarming footage of leader singer Thom Rylance and bass player Katie Lloyd calling their mums to tell the news.
Right at the end of the video, Thom is seen knocking on the door of his home and hugging his mum.
The Lottery Winners hail from the Greater Manchester town of Leigh, and formed back in 2008.
Comprising of members Thom Rylance, Robert Lally, Katie Lloyd, and Joe Singleton, the band released their debut album in 2011, before signing to Manchester-based record label, Modern Sky, and making a name for themselves with a series of singles throughout the 2010s.
They then put out three other studio albums, the self-titled The Lottery Winners, Sounds of Isolation, and Something to Leave the House For, in quick succession during lockdown in 2020 and 2021.
The Lottery Winners land first UK number one album with Anxiety Replacement Therapy / Credit: The Lottery Winners (via Instagram)
Prior to the release of Anxiety Replacement Therapy on 28 April 2023, the group’s highest placement on the UK album chart was number 11 with their fourth offering.
Courteeners’ frontman Liam Fray, Bolton-born TV and radio presenter Vernon Kay, and fellow bands and musicians The Reytons, You Me at Six, Frank Turner, Jamie Cullum, and Lucy Spraggan also sent messages of congratulations to the band on social media.
Featured Image – The Lottery Winners
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Royel Otis add second Manchester date due to massive demand
Danny Jones
Australian indie pop group Royel Otis have announced a second Manchester date ahead of their upcoming UK tour due to a huge demand for tickets.
The Aussie duo, who have blown up in the past couple of years with tracks like ‘Oysters In My Pocket’ and two viral covers of Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Cranberries, are due to play a massive Manchester gig later this year.
Set to make their O2 Victoria Warehouse debut this winter, the ‘Sofa King’ singers saw their ticket allocation sell out quicker than you can say ‘Going Kokomo’.
As a result, there was only one thing for it:
Due to demand, @RoyelOtis have just added an extra date at Manchester @O2VicWarehouse in November! 🔥
For anyone still unaware of the rising alt-pop outfit led by frontman Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell (hence the name), they began breaking onto the scene around 2022 after having released a couple of tracks the year prior.
Although they quickly gained support back in their home country, their presence over here and indeed around the world was helped no end after their tripleJ take on ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ and stripped-back version of ‘Linger’ for SiriusXM hit the internet.
They even managed to land a feature on EA FC 24 – formerly known as FIFA – and we all know how getting on that soundtrack can transform careers.
Since then, their following has grown exponentially, and the rising double act has booked major festival slots such over the past 12 months or so, playing the likes of Kendal Calling, Glastonbury, as well as Reading and Leeds, just to name a few.
Regardless, fervent fans haven’t seen their clamour disappear, and now the band have announced an extra date at Victoria Warehouse.
Now set to play the venue on Friday AND Saturday, 28-29 November 2025, they will be supported by an opening act with a cool UK connection: Still Blank.
The transatlantic outfit is made up of Jordy is from Hawaii, and Ben, from right here in Manchester; the two come together to make what Stereogum has described as “sullen folk-grunge” – yet more reason for locals to be interested in the gig.
Once again, while the first gig has sold out, you can grab your tickets for Royel Otis’ second Manchester show HERE.
There’s a VR K-pop experience coming to a cinema in Manchester
Thomas Melia
A VR experience dedicated to a much-loved K-pop group, ENHYPEN, is making its way to a cinema screen in Manchester this Autumn.
After a stellar performance at AO Arena in Manchester earlier this week, a VR experience dedicated to K-pop group ENHYPEN is coming to a cinema screen in the city centre.
This upcoming experience with the fitting name ‘IMMERSION’, will mark the K-pop group’s first ever VR concert and is premiering across the globe, including right here in Manchester.
Featuring all-new performances, this pre-recorded concert experience allows you the chance to immerse yourself in never-before-seen content that has been specifically produced for VR.
This cinematic concert concept allows fans the chance to watch their favourite live bands and acts up close and personal without having to break the bank.
Made in partnership with Amaze, one of the world’s leading immersive concert creators, previous performers include fellow K-pop acts Aespa, Tomorrow X Together and KAI, as well as rap megastar Megan Thee Stallion.
Get ready to sing your heart out or ‘Scream’ as loud as you can when ENHYPEN take to the screen as they’re expected to perform all their usual classics, including ‘XO (Only If You Say Yes)’ and ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You)’.
If you’re worried about missing your chance to get ‘Loose’, don’t worry, because these seven K-pop stars will be on cinema screens for nine consecutive dates throughout September.
K-pop boy band ENHYPEN took to the AO Arena in Manchester earlier this week (Credit: BELIFT LAB)
This exclusive ENHYPEN VR concert experience is coming to none other than international cinema chain Odeon, which will be screening this event at one of its prime Manc locations: The Trafford Centre.
ENHYPEN are bringing ‘IMMERSION’, their first-ever VR concert experience, to Odeon Trafford Centre in Manchester from 19 September until 28 September.
You’ll catch us there ‘No Doubt’ – more information HERE.
In the meantime, why not read our review of ENHYPEN’s recent Manchester show, which served as yet more proof that we need to get properly into K-pop.
Emily Sergeant -
9th May 2023 
