Cassette gross sales have hit their highest stage since 2003, in keeping with new analysis.
The British Phonographic Industry discovered they’ve elevated for 10 consecutive years, though they continue to be a lot decrease than vinyl.
The whole variety of gross sales have risen from 3,823 in 2012 to greater than 195,000 in 2022.
This has been pushed by latest releases from artists together with Arctic Monkeys, Harry Styles and Florence + the Machine.
All 20 of 2022’s biggest-selling cassettes had been launched in that yr.
Mark Burgess, Founder of Flashback Records informed Sky News that at his retailer in North London, cassette gross sales have “shot up” post-pandemic.
He mentioned that the “collectability” of cassettes makes them enticing to youthful generations specifically.
“One thing that’s difficult to do is be a collector of a streaming service, because cassettes are a smaller format, it’s easier to set up a collection.
“Also, folks wish to have an album of music that is sequenced in the best way an artist initially meant it to.”
Mr Burgess added that for the time being, “if anything, it feels like it’s starting to engage and to get some traction”.
Mark Burgess at his document retailer in north London
‘They’re superior’
Marie tends to go for vinyl over cassettes, however she says the format of tapes is interesting.
She informed Sky News: “The format will force you to get stuck in and go through the entire curation as the artist intended, because it’s not easy to move back and forward, so yeah they’re awesome”
Paul Williams, spokesperson for the British Phonographic Industry, believes cassettes are seeing the same resurgence as vinyl.
He mentioned: “Not long ago, people would have written off the cassette, but I think you have to learn the lessons of the vinyl market which had an incredible revival.
“It’s one thing at a decrease stage, however it’s taking place now with cassettes.
“There’s this return for people wanting to own music, to go out and buy.
“What we have seen with the cassette market – the cassettes and the artists which are doing effectively are artists with actual fan bases.”
Content Source: information.sky.com