U.K. MIDWEEKS: NEARLY TONG-TIED

There are two new entries in the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart midweek update: Veteran musician Mike Oldfield (Virgin EMI) is starting at #2 with his 26th album and hardcore independent Brit band Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes is at #4. Guess who’s #1?

During its ninth week on sale, Pete Tong’s Classic House (UMG) compilation, featuring artists such as Katy B, Ella Eyre and John Newman, is leading a close race for #1, boosted by TV promo and a live show. Oldfield is 3k copies behind with Return to Ommadawn.

The La La Land soundtrack (Polydor) holds at #3, followed by the second album from Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Modern Ruin (International Death Cult). Little Mix’ Glory Days (Syco) is at #5.

Over on the Official Singles midweek update, Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” (Atlantic) has garnered 28k downloads and 3m streams since Friday to maintain its #1 position, while “Castle on the Hill” stays at #2.

The rest of the Top 5 is also fairly stagnant as “You Don’t Know Me” (Polydor) by Jax Jones and Raye moves up one place to #3, Rag’n’Bone Man’s “Human” (Columbia) moves down to #4 and “Touch” (Syco) by Little Mix is up one place to #5.

The Chainsmokers’ “Paris” (RCA) is up two places to #8, and Sean Paul is on the cusp of entering the Top 10 this Friday with Dua Lipa collaboration “No Lie” (Island) currently up 11 places to #11.