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.
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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.
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“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.
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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.
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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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Oasis finally confirm ‘private ballot’ ticket information for reunion tour
Daisy Jackson
Oasis have just announced more information about how tickets will be sold through a ‘private ballot’ for their extra reunion tour dates.
The group added two additional shows at Wembley Stadium after their initial 17 gigs across London, Manchester, Dublin, Edinburgh and Cardiff generated huge demand and sold out in a day.
Oasis and Ticketmaster came under fire though for the use of dynamic pricing, which saw ticket prices shoot up by hundreds of pounds by the time people made it through the online queues.
For these additional reunion tour dates at Wembley, ticket sales will look a little different.
They’ll be using a ‘private ballot’, which will give first dibs to those who missed out on the first ticket sale.
You’ll only be invited to register for the sale if you signed into your Ticketmaster account on Saturday 31 August, and joined a queue for a specific show.
And you’ll only receive an invitation if you DIDN’T manage to bag tickets the first time round.
THEN you’ll be able to register for the actual ballot, which still doesn’t guarantee you a ticket but does at least get you into a (hopefully less lengthy) queue.
“Invitations to enter the private ballot will be sent overnight tonight (Saturday) to eligible fans we have been able to identify.
“If you signed into your Ticketmaster UK account on Saturday, 31st August, and were able to join a queue for a specific show, but didn’t get a ticket-then you may be eligible to take part and will receive an email on how to register for the ballot.
“Keep an eye on the inbox associated with your Ticketmaster account, and don’t forget to check your junkmail.
“Once successfully registered, you will be entered into the ballot for a code for access to the final Wembley on sale.
“Due to the demand for the shows and to avoid last week’s long queues, codes will be strictly limited. Entry to the ballot does not guarantee you will receive a code.
“The ballot is only open to invited fans. You must register with the email to which your invitation was sent and which is registered with your Ticketmaster account.
“All other entries will be discounted. If you do not receive an email then unfortunately you will not be eligible for the ballot.
“You will be automatically discounted from the ballot, even if you go through the registration process.”
Featured image: Simon Emmett
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Olly Murs announces Manchester show on huge arena tour – with Blue as support
Daisy Jackson
Olly Murs has just announced details of a huge arena tour, including a stop here in Manchester.
He’ll be playing the city’s biggest arena, the Co-op Live, as part of his 2025 tour.
The news comes fresh off the back of his nationwide tour supporting Take That on their massive This Life on Tour tour.
He’s announced a massive support act for himself too, bringing along British boyband favourites Blue.
Olly Murs first rose to stardom when he placed as runner-up in 2009’s The X Factor competition (though his career has soared past winner Joe McElderry’s).
Since then, he’s released seven solo studio albums, including last year’s Marry Me.
His massive hits include Heart Skips a Beat, Dance With Me Tonight, and Troublemaker, and he’s worked with the likes of Rizzle Kicks, Snoop Dogg, Demi Lovato and Flo Rida.
Olly Murs is now heading back out on the road for an all-singing, all-dancing arena tour.
It will include dates in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and loads more.
Olly said: “Celebrating 15 unbelievable years doing what I love best will be truly special. But to top it off I’m taking a band with me who I was obsessed with in my college years, BLUE!
“No doubt the pranks and banter will be free-flowing but most importantly it’s going to be a great night for the fans to enjoy, I can’t wait.”
Blue said: “We were really delighted when Olly asked us to join him on his Arena tour next year and can’t wait to get on the road with him in the Spring!
“We are going to have a whole lot of fun and look forward to making him an honorary Blue boy! We’ll be singing the biggest hits and maybe the odd joke here and there – watch out Olly!”
Tickets will go on sale on Friday 13 September at 10am – you can get yours here.