2020 in British music

This is a summary of the year 2020 in British music.

See also: Timeline of musical events

2020 in music
By location
By genre
By topic
List of years in British music
2020s in music in the UK
Events
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024
  • 2025
  • 2026
  • 2027
  • 2028
  • 2029
Charts
  • 2020
  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024
  • 2025
  • 2026
  • 2027
  • 2028
  • 2029

Events
  • 9 January – Singer Celeste is named as the Sound of 2020, after an annual BBC poll of music critics and industry figures.[1]
  • 13 January – Opera Holland Park announces simultaneously the scheduled retirement of Michael Volpe as its general director on 30 September 2020, and the appointment of James Clutton as the company's new Chief Executive and Director of Opera, effective 1 October 2020.[2]
  • 24 January – The London Philharmonic Orchestra announces simultaneously the scheduled retirement of Timothy Walker as its chief executive and artistic director, effective 3 June 2020, and the appointment of David Burke as its next chief executive, along with a planned division into separate roles each of the posts of chief executive and of artistic director.[3]
  • 1 February – The Orchestre National de Lille performs the final concert of its UK tour at Leeds Town Hall, the last European orchestra to perform in the United Kingdom just prior to and after the UK's departure from the European Union.[4]
  • 12 February – The Two Moors Festival announces the appointment of Tamsin Waley-Cohen as its new artistic director for its 2020 festival.[5]
  • 24 February – The Hallé announces Delyana Lazarova as the winner of the inaugural Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition 2020.[6]
  • 27 February
  • 11 March
  • 17 March – The following classical music organisations announce suspension of performances in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • 18 March – The Glastonbury Festival announces the cancellation of its 2020 season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
  • 23 March – Hazard Chase announces cessation of activity and entry into voluntary liquidation, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]
  • 24 March – The St Magnus International Festival announces cancellation of its 2020 season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[20]
  • 26 March – The following festivals have cancelled their scheduled 2020 seasons in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • 27 March – The following festivals have cancelled their scheduled 2020 seasons in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • 30 March
    • The Aldeburgh Festival announces the cancellation of its 2020 festival season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first-ever festival cancellation in the festival's history.[25]
    • Following a cold and self-isolation, Marianne Faithfull checks into hospital, and subsequently has tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.[26]
  • 1 April – The Edinburgh International Festival announces the cancellation of its 2020 festival season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[27]
  • 2 April – The Dartington Music Summer School and Festival announces the cancellation of its 2020 summer school and festival season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[28]
  • 6 April – The London Philharmonic Orchestra announces the appointment of Karina Canellakis as its new principal guest conductor, the first female conductor ever named to the post, effective September 2020.[29]
  • 24 April – At 99 years old, Captain Tom Moore became the oldest person to top the UK Singles Chart.
  • 5 May – Glyndebourne Opera announces cancellation of its 2020 summer season, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.[30]
  • 6 May – Britten Sinfonia announces the appointment of Meurig Bowen as its next chief executive and artistic director, effective August 2020.[31]
  • 7 May – Help Musicians UK announces the appointment of Dame Evelyn Glennie as its new president.[32]
  • 12 May – Wigmore Hall and BBC Radio 3 announce a scheduled series of live concerts from Wigmore Hall, beginning on 1 June, to be performed to an empty hall and under social distancing guidelines, the first live concerts from the hall and broadcast on Radio 3 since the general COVID-19 lockdown.[33]
  • 1 June – At Wigmore Hall, Stephen Hough gives a live concert without an audience in attendance, video-streamed and broadcast on BBC Radio 3, the first live classical music concert in London and the first live music relay on BBC Radio 3 in 11 weeks since the imposition of COVID-19-related lockdown conditions.[34]
  • 9 June – The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra announces the appointment of Domingo Hindoyan as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2021-2022 season.[35]
  • 15 June – Birmingham Opera Company announces the appointment of Alpesh Chauhan as its new music director, effective 1 July 2020.[36]
  • 16 June – Universal Music Group announces the re-branding of its Virgin EMI label as EMI Records, and the appointment of Rebecca Allen as president of the EMI Records label.[37]

Television programmes

Classical works
  • Emma-Ruth Richards – The Sail of a Flame[43]
  • Mark-Anthony Turnage – Towards Alba[44]
  • Dani Howard – Dualism[45]
  • Thomas Hewitt Jones – Divertimento for String Quartet

Opera

Musical theatre

Musical films

Film scores and incidental music

Film

Television

British music awards

Charts and sales

Number-one singles

The singles chart includes a proportion for streaming.

Chart date
(week ending)		SongArtist(s)Chart salesReferences
2 January"River"Ellie Goulding78,193[49]
9 January"Own It"Stormzy featuring Ed Sheeran and Burna Boy56,590[50]
16 January55,826[51]
23 January55,400[52]
30 January"Godzilla"Eminem featuring Juice Wrld52,633[53]
6 February"Before You Go"Lewis Capaldi65,943[54]
13 February"Blinding Lights"The Weeknd62,512[55]
20 February64,954[56]
27 February"No Time to Die"Billie Eilish90,488[57]
5 March"Blinding Lights"The Weeknd64,302[58]
12 March63,966[59]
19 March60,545[60]
26 March"Roses"Saint Jhn52,656[61]
2 April59,859[62]
9 April"Blinding Lights"The Weeknd69,595[63]
16 April80,073[64]
23 April77,918[65]
30 April"You'll Never Walk Alone"Michael Ball and Captain Tom Moore81,829[66]
7 May"Times Like These"Live Lounge Allstars66,164[67]
14 May"Toosie Slide"Drake49,187[68]
21 May"Rockstar"DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch44,879[69]
28 May57,429[70]
4 June"Rain on Me"Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande70,132[71]
11 June"Rockstar"DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch64,000[72]
18 June[73]
25 June

Number-one albums

The albums chart includes a proportion for streaming.

    Chart date
    (week ending)    		AlbumArtist(s)Chart salesReferences
    2 JanuaryYou're in My HeartRod Stewart47,495[74]
    9 JanuaryDivinely Uninspired to a Hellish ExtentLewis Capaldi21,203[75]
    16 JanuaryHeavy Is the HeadStormzy23,614[76]
    23 JanuaryDivinely Uninspired to a Hellish ExtentLewis Capaldi18,298[77]
    30 JanuaryMusic to Be Murdered ByEminem36,302[78]
    6 FebruaryBig ConspiracyJ Hus23,536[79]
    13 FebruaryFoolish Loving SpacesBlossoms22,489[80]
    20 FebruaryFather of All...Green Day23,389[81]
    27 FebruaryChangesJustin Bieber17,681[82]
    5 MarchMap of the Soul: 7BTS37,978[83]
    12 MarchDivinely Uninspired to a Hellish ExtentLewis Capaldi14,706[84]
    19 MarchManchester CallingPaul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott20,422[85]
    26 MarchHeartbreak WeatherNiall Horan14,300[86]
    2 AprilAfter HoursThe Weeknd25,677[87]
    9 AprilCalm5 Seconds of Summer34,941[88]
    16 AprilFuture NostalgiaDua Lipa16,080[89]
    23 April11,833[90]
    30 AprilThe BonnyGerry Cinnamon28,945[91]
    7 MayFuture NostalgiaDua Lipa10,532[92]
    14 MayDark Lane Demo TapesDrake20,000[93]
    21 MayFuture NostalgiaDua Lipa7,317[94]
    28 MayDivinely Uninspired to a Hellish ExtentLewis Capaldi8,396[95]
    4 JuneNotes on a Conditional FormThe 197534,245[96]
    11 JuneChromaticaLady Gaga52,907[97]
    18 June12,819[98]
    25 JuneMTV UnpluggedLiam Gallagher

    Number-one compilation albums
      Chart date
      (week ending)      		AlbumChart salesReferences
      2 JanuaryNow 104[99]
      9 January[100]
      16 JanuaryFrozen II[101]
      23 January[102]
      30 January[103]
      6 February[104]
      13 February[105]
      20 FebruaryNow 104[106]
      27 FebruaryFrozen II[107]
      5 MarchThe Greatest Showman[108]
      12 March[109]
      19 March[110]
      26 MarchNow 100 Hits Country[111]
      2 AprilFrozen II[112]
      9 April[113]
      16 April[114]
      23 April[115]
      30 AprilThe Greatest Showman[116]
      7 May[117]
      14 May[118]
      21 MayNow 105[119]
      28 May[120]
      4 June[121]
      11 June[122]
      18 June[123]
      25 June

      Bands reformed

      Bands disbanded

      Deaths
      Andrew Weatherall in 2009

      See also

      References
      1. Mark Savage. "Celeste got fired over her love of music - now she's won the BBC Sound of 2020". BBC News. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
      2. "Opera Holland Park announces the retirement of General Director, Michael Volpe" (PDF) (Press release). Opera Holland Park. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      3. "The LPO announces a restructuring of its leadership" (Press release). London Philharmonic Orchestra. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      4. Cécile Bidault (31 January 2020). "L'Orchestre National de Lille en tournée au Royaume-Uni à l'heure du Brexit". France Musique. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      5. Melissa Bradshaw (12 February 2020). "Tamsin Waley-Cohen appointed artistic director of Two Moors Festival". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      6. "Delyana Lazarova is the winner of the inaugural Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition 2020" (Press release). The Hallé. 24 February 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      7. "James Newman to represent United Kingdom in Eurovision 2020". BBC News. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
      8. "Official EBU statement & FAQ on Eurovision 2020 cancellation". Eurovision.tv. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
      9. "The Hallé Orchestra announces its new Chief Executive" (Press release). The Hallé. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      10. "David Butcher appointed Chief Executive of The Hallé" (Press release). Britten Sinfonia. 27 February 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      11. "Philharmonia Orchestra appoints Alexander Van Ingen as its new Chief Executive" (Press release). Philharmonia Orchestra. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      12. "Academy of Ancient Music announces search for new Chief Executive" (Press release). Academy of Ancient Music. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      13. "Statement on BBC Orchestras and Choirs" (Press release). BBC Media Centre. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      14. "COVID-19: Concert status update" (Press release). Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
      15. "A message to our audiences" (Press release). London Philharmonic Orchestra. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      16. "Concert cancellations: 17 to 26 March" (Press release). Philharmonia Orchestra. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      17. "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update" (Press release). Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      18. Lanre Bakare and Steven Morris (18 March 2020). "Glastonbury 2020: festival cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      19. Andrew Green (23 March 2020). "Hazard Chase ceases trading due to COVID-19". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      20. Melissa Bradshaw (24 March 2020). "St Magnus International Festival 2020 cancelled". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      21. Ben Beaumont-Thomas (26 March 2020). "Download and Isle of Wight festivals cancelled due to coronavirus". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      22. Melissa Bradshaw (26 March 2020). "Further festival cancellations announced". Classical Music Magazine. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
      23. Ben Beaumont-Thomas (27 March 2020). "All Points East, Parklife and Lovebox festivals cancel due to coronavirus". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
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      28. "Dartington Music Summer School & Festival 2020 cancelled" (Press release). Dartington Music Summer School & Festival. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
      29. Imogen Tilden (6 April 2020). "LPO appoints Karina Canellakis as principal guest conductor". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
      30. "Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update" (Press release). Glyndebourne Opera. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
      31. "Meurig Bowen appointed Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Britten Sinfonia" (Press release). Britten Sinfonia. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
      32. "Dame Evelyn Glennie CH, DBE appointed as new Help Musicians President" (Press release). Help Musicians UK. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
      33. Imogen Tilden (11 May 2020). "'Glimmer of hope': leading performers return to London's Wigmore Hall". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
      34. Andrew Clements (2 June 2020). "Stephen Hough review – seriousness, not show, marks return of live music". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
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      36. "Birmingham Opera Company Appoints Alpesh Chauhan As Music Director". Broadway World. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
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      43. BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, 11 January 2020 programme
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      45. Wigmore Hall, 27 January 2020 programme
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      47. "Patrick Doyle to Score Kenneth Branagh's 'Death on the Nile'". Film Music Reporter. 15 January 2020.
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      49. UK Singles Chart 2 January 2020
      50. UK Singles Chart 9 January 2020
      51. UK Singles Chart 16 January 2020
      52. UK Singles Chart 23 January 2020
      53. UK Singles Chart 30 January 2020
      54. UK Singles Chart 6 February 2020
      55. UK Singles Chart 13 February 2020
      56. UK Singles Chart 20 February 2020
      57. UK Singles Chart 27 February 2020
      58. UK Singles Chart 5 March 2020
      59. UK Singles Chart 12 March 2020
      60. UK Singles Chart 19 March 2020
      61. UK Singles Chart 26 March 2020
      62. UK Singles Chart 2 April 2020
      63. UK Singles Chart 9 April 2020
      64. UK Singles Chart 16 April 2020
      65. UK Singles Chart 23 April 2020
      66. UK Singles Chart 30 April 2020
      67. UK Singles Chart 07 May 2020
      68. UK Singles Chart 14 May 2020
      69. UK Singles Chart 21 May 2020
      70. UK Singles Chart 28 May 2020
      71. UK Singles Chart 4 June 2020
      72. UK Singles Chart 11 June 2020
      73. UK Singles Chart 18 June 2020
      74. UK Singles Chart 2 January 2020
      75. UK Singles Chart 9 January 2020
      76. UK Singles Chart 16 January 2020
      77. UK Singles Chart 23 January 2020
      78. UK Singles Chart 30 January 2020
      79. UK Singles Chart 6 February 2020
      80. UK Singles Chart 13 February 2020
      81. UK Singles Chart 20 February 2020
      82. UK Singles Chart 27 February 2020
      83. UK Singles Chart 5 March 2020
      84. UK Singles Chart 12 March 2020
      85. UK Singles Chart 19 March 2020
      86. UK Singles Chart 26 March 2020
      87. UK Singles Chart 2 April 2020
      88. UK Singles Chart 9 April 2020
      89. UK Singles Chart 16 April 2020
      90. UK Singles Chart 23 April 2020
      91. UK Singles Chart 30 April 2020
      92. UK Singles Chart 07 May 2020
      93. UK Singles Chart 14 May 2020
      94. UK Singles Chart 21 May 2020
      95. UK Singles Chart 28 May 2020
      96. UK Singles Chart 4 June 2020
      97. UK Singles Chart 11 June 2020
      98. UK Singles Chart 18 June 2020
      99. UK Compilation Chart 2 January 2020
      100. UK Compilation Chart 9 January 2020
      101. UK Compilation Chart 16 January 2020
      102. UK Compilation Chart 23 January 2020
      103. UK Compilation Chart 30 January 2020
      104. UK Compilation Chart 6 February 2020
      105. UK Compilation Chart 13 February 2020
      106. UK Compilation Chart 20 February 2020
      107. UK Compilation Chart 27 February 2020
      108. UK Compilation Chart 5 March 2020
      109. UK Compilation Chart 12 March 2020
      110. UK Compilation Chart 19 March 2020
      111. UK Compilation Chart 26 March 2020
      112. UK Compilation Chart 2 April 2020
      113. UK Compilation Chart 9 April 2020
      114. UK Compilation Chart 16 April 2020
      115. UK Compilation Chart 23 April 2020
      116. UK Compilation Chart 30 April 2020
      117. UK Compilation Chart 7 May 2020
      118. UK Compilation Chart 14 May 2020
      119. UK Compilation Chart 21 May 2020
      120. UK Compilation Chart 28 May 2020
      121. UK Compilation Chart 4 June 2020
      122. UK Compilation Chart 11 June 2020
      123. UK Compilation Chart 18 June 2020
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