Photo: WENN
Sam Smith has beaten Led Zeppelin, Ed Sheeran and Royal Blood to the No.1 album spot after a closely fought musical contest following this year's BRIT Awards.
This week's chart (1 March) is the first to include audio streaming services such as Rdio, Spotify, Google Play and Deezer. In The Lonely Hour beat off strong competition from Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti reissue, Ed Sheeran's X and Royal Blood's self-titled debut.
According to figures from the Official Charts Company, In The Lonely Hour finished with a combined chart sales figure of 41,000, ahead of Ed Sheeran’s X on 38,000. Official Charts Company's Martin Talbot says, “It is an especially impressive achievement given the strength of the competition. Sam and Ed are both established as genuine superstars now – and the fact that they appeal to fans who buy CDs, snap up album downloads AND stream music highlights just how broad their appeal is.”
Smith wasn't the only act to receive a sales bump from the exposure of the BRIT awards. Demand for Royal Blood’s self-titled LP grew by 11 times and George Ezra's album Wanted On Vogage climbed two places to be No.4 in the charts. Led Zeppelin's rapturously received reissue ended the week at No.6.
Watch Sam Smith perform 'Lay Me Down' at the Brit Awards 2015 below
Speaking to Gigwise last year, Smith said, "I really do have faith that people want to hear what I have to say about anything, and it's about my vocal as well. I've made the promise to myself that my music will be the documentary of my life, so whatever happens next will be written about."
Watch Sam Smith talking to Gigwise below
Sam Smith embarks on a UK tour this month. Full tour dates are below and tickets are on sale now. For more information and ticket details click here.
March 2015
16 Glasgow, O2 Academy
17 Glasgow, O2 Academy
19 Manchester, O2 Apollo
20 Manchester, O2 ApollO
22 Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
23 Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
25 London, O2 Academy Brixton
26 London, O2 Academy Brixton
27 London, O2 Academy Brixton
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