1D & 5SOS: IMMODEST PROJECTIONS

Two of Q4’s biggest releases will come from acts in Richard Griffiths’ Modest Management camp: SYCO/Columbia’s One Direction (due 11/20) and Capitol’s 5 Seconds of Summer (10/23). Interestingly, based on preorders, the forecasts for the two albums are remarkably close.

U.K. superstars 1D, with what may be their final release as a group (and their first without Zayn Malik) are currently expected to do about 350k first week, while Aussie breakouts 5SOS look like they’ll come in at about 300k.

1D has nurtured 5SOS from the outset, owns a piece of the project and brought them out on tour. Both bands' successes, of course, provide ample testimony to the acumen of Griffith and team in cultivating young fanbases—and building bands into global brands.

How the two bands will rank on our “Sales Plus Screaming” chart—which compares their female fans’ responses by decibel level—remains to be seen.