2011 in British Music

The Story of 2011

Adele's '21' was the defining album of the decade, and 2011 was the year she conquered the world. 'Rolling in the Deep' was the first single, a magnificent, stomping heartbreak anthem that stayed at number one for weeks. 'Someone Like You' followed, a piano-and-vocal ballad that became a wedding and funeral staple. 'Set Fire to the Rain' and 'Rumour Has It' completed a run of hits that made '21' the biggest-selling album of the 21st century. Adele was untouchable. The rest of the year was strong: Ed Sheeran's '+' album with 'The A Team' launched a career that would rival Adele's commercial dominance. Jessie J's 'Who You Are' was a confident debut. One Direction were formed on The X Factor and released 'Up All Night', the start of a boyband phenomenon that would break America. Coldplay's 'Mylo Xyloto' was colourful and commercial. PJ Harvey won the Mercury Prize for 'Let England Shake', a brilliant, unsettling album about war. The British music industry was in rude health, even as album sales continued their long decline.