Full National Album Day 2021 plans revealed!

National Album Day returns for its fourth edition on Saturday 16^th October, and this year will spotlight women artists and their huge contribution to music and culture through the art of the album.

Revisiting iconic and influential albums by women artists, from the earliest pioneers to present-day legends, and pointing towards exciting new and future talent, the 2021 event will also highlight the integral role women play within the wider music community, not only as recording artists, but as songwriters, producers, and cultural influencers.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of her multi-platinum selling album Fever, global music icon Kylie Minogue has been confirmed as an ambassador for this year’s National Album Day, joining the already announced multi-platinum recording artist Sharleen Spiteri, 2021 Hyundai Mercury Prize shortlisted Laura Mvula, R’n’B/soul queen Ray BLK and BRITs 2020 Rising Star nominated Joy Crookes. A special 20th anniversary limited edition white vinyl of Fever will be available for National Album Day.

Like previous years, various exciting events and activities across the UK will be taking place to mark National Album Day.

Classic Album Sundays will this year present two exclusive audiophile listening events, supported by Bowers & Wilkins. On Tuesday 12th October, NAD ambassador and chart topping singer songwriter with the phenomenally successful band Texas, Sharleen Spiteri, will join Classic Album Sundays founder Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy at London’s Royal Albert Hall to discuss her favourite women in music and how they have influenced her, culminating in choice cuts from the new Texas album Hi. On Thursday 14th October, Colleen will be joined by Carroll Thompson, the ‘Queen of Lovers Rock’, at the British Library to discuss the story of Lovers Rock and her classic album Hopelessly in Love (which is being reissued for National Album Day), her career in music and play classic tracks from the album in an all-vinyl listening session. For information and tickets for both events go to

https://classicalbumsundays.com/category/events/uk/.

Music from the discussions will be played on a world class hi-fi system with Bowers & Wilkins’ exceptional new 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers - the renowned audio brand's most revered and advanced range of loudspeakers.

In support of this year’s theme Celebrating Women in Music, on National Album Day, Radio 2 is dedicating the whole day to album tracks by women. From 6am to midnight, there will be an all-female playlist from Sounds of the 60s all the way through to Craig Charles’ House Party, with guests on the shows, plus a special show - The Official All-Time Female Artists Album Chart, presented by Jo Whiley (1pm-3pm).

Additional coverage for National Album Day will air across Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, 6 Music, Asian Network, BBC Four and BBC iPlayer. See Notes to Editors for full programming breakdown.

NAD ambassador Joy Crookes has confirmed an exclusive in-store and performance at Resident Music, Brighton from 6.30pm on Saturday 16th October, to mark the release of her debut album Skin the day before - head here to pre-order the album and to guarantee your spot!

Tim Burgess will join in the National Album Day celebrations this year with Twitter Listening Parties, confirmed so far are: Texas/Sharleen Spiteri for Hi on Thursday 14th October at 7pm, Kylie Minogue on Friday 15th October at 8pm for Fever, and Carroll Thompson for Hopelessly In Love on Wednesday 20th October at 7pm. Follow @LISTENING_PARTY for more information!

An exclusive ‘Album Hunt’ activation in collaboration with Landmrk will be launched for this year’s National Album Day, with music fans invited from this coming weekend to go on a trail focusing on 10 iconic albums by women artists, including Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black, Solange’s A Seat at The Table and Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia. The trail of 10 albums will be available at multiple locations throughout the UK, with the hotspots outlined on a map via albumhunt.co.uk, which will be promoted via social media along with outdoor billboards courtesy of street advertising specialists Diabolical.

At each hotspot, exclusive content on each album can be unlocked with an opportunity to enter a competition to win a National Album Day bundle, featuring a Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge and vinyl.

Plus lots of regional activity at record stores including Intense Records (Chelmsford), WINYL (Manningtree), Wax and Beans (Bury), Record Revivals (Scarborough) - head to www.nationalalbumday.co.uk for the full run down and keep an eye on @AlbumDayUK on social media for the latest news.

Fans can join in the National Album Day fun by heading to their favourite store or digital service to explore a selection of new albums, boxsets and classic reissues including: Stevie Nicks, Donna Summer, HAIM, Eva Cassidy, Dido, Garbage, Roisin Murphy, Patti Smith, Solange, Lykkie Li, Amy Winehouse and more.

National Album Day is organised jointly by the BPI – the UK independent and major labels association (The BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize) – and the Entertainment Retailers Association – representing retailers and digital services (Record Store Day). Presented in partnership with official audio partner Bowers & Wilkins, the event is supported across broadcast partner the BBC, who will support National Album Day across television, radio and digital with bespoke programming on BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and highlights available to listen to on BBC Sounds, along with the UK’s recorded music community including AIM and other trade associations, retailers and digital/streaming services, and album platforms such as Classic Album Sundays and The Record Club.

Renowned audio brand, Bowers & Wilkins, continues its support for National Album Day as official audio partner. Built on a passion for music, Bowers & Wilkins has been on an unrelenting pursuit of the highest quality listening experiences for music fans for 55 years, always delivering sound that remains true to how the artist intended their album to be heard.

Giles Pocock, Vice-President, Brand Marketing, Bowers & Wilkins said: “We’re proud to continue our support for National Album Day and celebrate the huge contribution and exceptional talent of women artists and those involved in the creation of music in all its forms. This year’s ambassadors are a true reflection of the breadth of outstanding, multi-generational female music talent that we have here in the UK.”

Keep track of the National Album Day website for more news and updates.