In exclusive new research for National Album Day, which takes place on 18th October, Camden has been crowned the most successful of London’s 32 boroughs for producing rock talent.

Famed for its street buskers and grassroots music venues, Camden achieved the feat after the rock groups that formed there — notably including Coldplay and The Libertines — outranked artists from every other borough on a chart of the biggest-selling and most-streamed UK rock studio albums of the past three decades.

Camden took the accolade ahead of:

• City of Westminster – where three founding members of Pink Floyd studied and met

• Lewisham – where Blur was formed

The research, produced for National Album Day using Official Charts data, ranks boroughs based on chart sales (physical, digital downloads, and streaming) of the top 500 UK rock studio albums by domestic artists since 1994. For solo artists, the borough of upbringing was used; for groups, the borough where they formed.

London’s Top Boroughs for Producing Rock Artists

Source: National Album Day based on Official Charts data (up to chart week 32 2025)

Highlights of London’s Rock Legacy

• Camden: Home to iconic venues such as the Dublin Castle pub, where groups including Coldplay, The Libertines, and Suede took their first steps.

• City of Westminster: Three founding members of Pink Floyd studied here; members of Led Zeppelin first played together in the borough.

• Lewisham: Blur formed at Goldsmiths College; also the birthplace of early groups including Dire Straits and Status Quo.

• Kensington & Chelsea: Strong association with Queen.

• Wimbledon: Mumford & Sons (Sigh No More).

• Bromley: David Bowie grew up here.

• Tower Hamlets: Origins of Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green.

• Southwark: Florence Welch, later forming Florence + The Machine.

• Ealing: The Ealing Club helped launch The Rolling Stones.

Official Reactions

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said:

“London is a music capital, entertaining locals as well as drawing visitors from every part of the globe. Congratulations to Camden for topping the list of London boroughs this year. From small grassroots to established venues, it has played host to so many world-renowned rock artists who have gone on to release truly seminal albums. They are shaping our culture today and for generations to come.”

Dr. Jo Twist OBE, Chief Executive BPI, and Kim Bayley, Chief Executive ERA, said jointly:

“We know that music talent can be found in every single part of the UK, as The BRITs moving to Manchester and the Mercury Prize this year taking place in Newcastle testifies, but the huge contribution that London has made to the success of British rock music and albums, both commercially and culturally, cannot be overstated.”

London Tops UK Regions for Rock Artists

London is also the top UK region or nation for producing successful rock artists. The city has been home to legendary solo artists and bands including:

• David Bowie – The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars

• Blur – Parklife

• The Clash – London Calling

• Coldplay – A Rush Of Blood To The Head

• Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials

• Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV

• Pink Floyd – The Dark Side Of The Moon

• Queen – A Night At The Opera

• The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers

• Suede – Coming Up

• The Who – Who’s Next

• Iron Maiden – The Number of the Beast

UK’s Top Regions/Nations for Rock Artists

Source: National Album Day based on Official Charts data (up to chart week 32 2025)

Regional Highlights:

• North West England: Liverpool, Manchester, Salford, Wigan, Bury’s Elbow, Tom Walker, The 1975

• South East England: The Cure, Genesis, Keane, Wet Leg

• Wales: Catatonia, Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics

• Scotland: KT Tunstall, Biffy Clyro

• Yorkshire & Humber: Shed Seven, Alt-J, Kaiser Chiefs

• East of England: Bat For Lashes, Depeche Mode

• South West England: PJ Harvey, Muse

• West Midlands: Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Robert Plant, Jeff Lynne/ELO

• Northern Ireland: Van Morrison, Ash, Snow Patrol

Rock Resurgence

Rock is experiencing a resurgence across genres, from Metal to Indie Sleaze.

• Consistently the biggest genre in the Official Albums Chart

• Represents nearly 60% of the Official Vinyl Chart Top 100

• British icons: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Oasis, Iron Maiden

• Contemporary artists: Sam Fender, Idles, Wolf Alice, The Last Dinner Party, Wet Leg, The Reytons, Nova Twins

• Sleep Token’s Even in Arcadia topped both UK and US charts in May 2025

About National Album Day

Now in its eighth year, National Album Day is organised by:

• BPI – the UK record label and music companies’ representative