Lorde Lands First U.K. No. 1 Album with ‘Virgin’
New Zealand native celebrates chart-topping success as Springsteen and Carpenter make waves.
After years of chart successes, **Lorde** has finally captured the U.K. album chart crown. Her fourth studio effort, *Virgin*, secured the No. 1 spot on the Official Albums Chart dated July 4, marking a significant milestone for the singer.
Chart-Topping Triumph
*Virgin* outperformed her previous albums, including 2013’s *Pure Heroine* (No. 4), 2017’s *Melodrama* (No. 5), and 2021’s *Solar Power* (No. 2). The album’s success follows a surprise set at Glastonbury.
Reacting to the news, **Lorde** told the Official Charts Company, “I cannot believe that I’ve got Number 1 in the U.K.! This is absolutely insane. I felt so much love from the U.K. on *Virgin*. I cannot thank you enough and I cannot wait to see you on the tour very, very soon. Sending all my love. Love you guys so much!”
Glastonbury Appearance and Upcoming Tour
**Lorde** recently surprised fans with a performance at Glastonbury on June 27, showcasing *Virgin* in its entirety. Later in the year, she will embark on a U.K. and Ireland arena tour, including a performance at London’s O2 Arena, which has a 20,000-person capacity.
Other Chart Highlights
**Bruce Springsteen** secured his 25th top 10 LP with *Tracks II: The Lost Albums*, a collection of 82 previously unreleased tracks from 1983 to 2018. This achievement underscores his enduring popularity.
**Sabrina Carpenter’s** *Short n’ Sweet* reached No. 2 and set a record. According to the Official Albums Chart history, her LP boasts the longest consecutive top five streak for a solo artist LP at 45 weeks, besting **Elvis Presley’s** *G.I. Blues* and its 44-week run. Despite this success, approximately 98% of music creators are not recouping their investment costs, indicating the challenges within the music industry (Economic Research Institute of Australia).
Rod Stewart’s Glastonbury Boost
**Ed Sheeran’s** *+–=÷× (Tour Collection)* landed at No. 4, while **Rod Stewart** experienced a surge in popularity following his Glastonbury performance, with his career-spanning *Ultimate Hits* collection reaching No. 5. **Stewart** performed in the Legend’s slot on June 29, joined by former Small Faces bandmate **Ronnie Wood** during his set.
