1999 in British Music

The Story of 1999

The end of the millennium, and British music was looking forward and back with equal intensity. The charts had a millennial energy – Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and Christina Aguilera were the new American invasion, but British artists held their own. Robbie Williams was the biggest star in Britain, 'She's the One' and 'No Regrets' keeping him at the top. Westlife began their reign of ballad dominance. The boyband era was at its peak. Travis released 'The Man Who', the album that defined the sensitive, post-Britpop indie sound – 'Why Does It Always Rain on Me?' becoming an unlikely anthem. Muse released 'Showbiz', their debut, introducing an operatic, ambitious rock that would define the next decade. Basement Jaxx's 'Remedy' was the sound of British house music getting weird and wonderful. Moby's 'Play' was everywhere. The Beta Band's 'The Three EPs' showed indie experimentalism. Fatboy Slim's 'Right Here, Right Now' was the millennial anthem. The year ended with the promise that the Millennium Bug might destroy everything, but mostly it meant parties and the certainty that British music would keep evolving.