Music
12 Jul 19

Could Mick Flannery overcome Lewis Capaldi in the fight for the No.1 album slot?

With Lewis Capaldi having emerged as one of the biggest artists of the new generation, record company execs knew that it would take a brilliant performance to rob the No.1 spot from him. Then, along came an Irish contender, in the shape of Mick Flannery.

It’s official. Mick Flannery has raced to the top of the Official Irish Albums Chart. And in doing so, he has relegated Scottish star Lewis Capaldi into second place. In a close race, Flannery's self-titled new album edge ahead of Capaldi's Divinely Uninspired To a Hellish Extent by just 171 combined sales.

Flannery responded to the news on Twitter today:

This is great news, I’m chuffed at the success of this week. I’d like to thank all involved from the album’s side and also everyone who bought a copy. 🙏🏼🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/LRJdW4j88H

— Mick Flannery (@MickFlannery) July 12, 2019

With his album debuting at No.1, Flannery has become the first independent Irish artist to take the top slot since January 2018, and the third homegrown Irish act to reach the pinnacle of the Top 50 this year, following Picture This' MDRN LV and Hozier's Wasteland, Baby!

2019 has now seen more Irish artists hit No.1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart than 2018. Last year The Academic and Kodaline were the only Irish acts to reach the albums summit.

Flannery's albums Red to Blue (2012) and By The Rule (2014) previously went to No.1 also, making this his third chart-topping LP.

Elsewhere, Westlife have four albums in the Top 50, after their triumphant two nights at Croke Park. Greatest Hits jumps 10 spots to take No.3, while Coast to Coast (2000) re-enters at No.14. On the back of her stellar set at Glastonbury, Lizzo's star continues to rise, as her Cuz I Love You rockets 25 rungs to a new peak at No.25. Fangclub's new album Vulture Culture, meanwhile, debuts at No.31, making it their second Top 50 album.

For the full Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50, see here.

Catch Mick Flannery at one of his upcoming tour dates below:

July 19th – Dolan’s, Limerick, IRE
July 20th – Galway Arts Festival, IRE
July 21st – Claremorris Folk Festival, IRE
July 28th - Connolly’s of Leap, IRE
Aug 2-4th - All Together Now Festival, IRE
Aug 18th – The Blue Arrow, Glasgow, UK
Sept 4th - The Pie Shop, Washington, DC, USA
Sept 5th – The Word Barn, Exeter, NH, USA
Sept 8th – Rockwood Music Hall, NYC, USA
Sept 26th – Cork Opera House, Cork, IRE
Oct 10th - Lost Lane, Dublin, IRE
Oct 11th - Lost Lane, Dublin, IRE
Oct 12th - Spiegeltent, Wexford, IRE