Coffee and Tea Update
Days after the spectacular closing ceremony to the London 2012 games, music & entertainment retailer HMV has looked at the album sales on CD and download formats combined of the artists who either performed on the night or whose music was showcased during the event, and then compared this demand with the previous Monday (6 Aug) a week ago to produce a chart of the biggest beneficiaries.
Based on this like-for-like comparison, HMV can report that the big winners appear to be Elbow, who have seen big lifts in sales of both their albums – ‘Seldom Seen Kid’ (1150 per cent) and ‘Build a Rocket Boys’ (794 per cent) over 24 hours, following the performance of their anthemic songs ‘One Day Like This’ and ‘Open Arms’. The other big rise, in second spot, was for John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ album (1100 per cent) and for the Spice Girls ‘Greatest Hits’ (626 per cent). Emeli Sandé, who performed on three occasions and also appeared in the opening ceremony two weeks earlier, received another sales boost, with her album ‘Our Version of Events’ (476 per cent) enjoying the fifth-biggest rise.
Kate Bush’s ‘Whole Story’ hits compilation (416 per cent) also saw a significant lift, albeit from a relatively low sales base, which suggests that had she performed live, as rumours suggested she would, she would have most likely stolen the show and seen the biggest sales rise of all. Just behind Kate was George Michael, who saw sales of his classic album ‘Faith’ lift 320 per cent following his performance, while Take That, The Who and Queen all saw demand for their albums pick up following the live/video performances on the night. Just outside of the top 10 biggest beneficiaries, Taio Cruz, One Direction, Muse, Jessie J and Ed Sheeran also enjoyed a significant increase in demand for their albums
The soundtrack to the closing ceremony, ‘A Symphony of British Music’, which hits record shops this Thursday, is expected to be a big seller over the next few days and weeks as the British public seeks to hang onto the feel-good factor generated by the games. Similarly, the official DVD of the Games, which is scheduled for release this Autumn, can be expected to be one of the most popular gift items for Christmas.
HMV’s Gennaro Castaldo comments: “The closing ceremony was a celebration of British music, and with a huge broadcast audience in the UK and worldwide it’s no surprise that the featured artists are seeing a big lift in sales of their recordings. Elbow’s anthemic songs were almost tailor-made for the occasion, whilst it was also wonderful to be reminded of the power of John Lennon’s music.”
LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS CLOSING CEREMONY: (percentage rises in album sales of featured artists – comparison of Monday 13 August with Monday 6th August)
2. John Lennon / Imagine (1100 per cent)
3. Elbow / Build a Rocket Boys (794 per cent)
4. Spice Girls / Greatest Hits (626 per cent)
5. Emeli Sandé / Our Version of Events (476 per cent )
6. Kate Bush / The Whole Story (416 per cent)
7. George Michael / Faith (320 per cent)
8. Take That / Beautiful World (300 per cent)
9. The Who / Then and Now (293 per cent)
10. Queen / Platinum Collection (286 per cent)
11. Taio Cruz / Departure (252 per cent)
12. One Direction / Up All Night (238 per cent)
13. Muse / Hullabaloo (228 per cent)
14. Jessie J / Who You Are (207 per cent)
15. Ed Sheeran / + (205 per cent)
16. Pet Shop Boys / Ultimate (202 per cent)
17. David Bowie / Platinum: Best Of (188 per cent)
18. Oasis / What’s the Story (Morning Glory) (186 per cent)
19. Annie Lennox / Collection (185 per cent)
20. Tinie Tempah / Disc-Overy (165 per cent)
Cars 2
Next week Cars 2 is released onto DVD and Blu-ray and is tipped to be a hit in the chart. In the film, race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) and tow truck Mater head to Japan and Europe to compete in the World Grand Prix, but Mater becomes sidetracked with international espionage. Prior to it’s release Gateway 97.8 spoke to Owen Wilson, the voice of main character Lightning McQueen, about his thoughts on the film.
How excited were you to voice Lightning McQueen again in “Cars 2”?
I was very excited to return to Lightning McQueen and the world of “Cars” because it felt like I was working on a completely different movie. “Cars 2” is a fun international adventure that takes place in the exciting world of espionage and intrigue. It’s very different from the first movie and it’s great to see these characters tackling a whole new world outside of Radiator Springs.
How much fun is it to work in animation?
It’s great fun because you get to use your own imagination, just like a little kid does. On a live-action movie, you have to go through wardrobe, hair and makeup and then you walk onto set. Animation is very pure. You go into a recording studio and the scene is explained to you, but there are no props and no actors to work alongside. It’s great fun to start seeing everything in your head.
What kind of a driver are you?
I think I’m a careful driver. I don’t get speeding tickets and I don’t race around. I usually drive a car that beeps when you put it in reverse, so I guess it’s very pedestrian friendly.
Are you a racecar enthusiast?
I really enjoy watching car races, and it’s interesting that “Cars 2” features a variety of race contests. I think there’s more of an interest in oval track racing here in the United States, like stock car and Indy racing. Overseas, they seem more interested in the grand prix, which consists of circuit racing and road racing. I think it’s great that we’ve combined both styles of car racing for the World Grand Prix in the movie.
In the original “Cars” movie, you got to work with Paul Newman. How was that experience?
I got to work with Paul Newman for one day during the making of the first “Cars” movie and I’ll never forget it. We went to New York together to record for the film and it was great fun. He was so knowledgeable about racing that he wasn’t afraid to raise points and question things in the story. In fact, John Lasseter took to heart a lot of what he was saying. He went back and reworked the script based on an issue that Paul raised.
CARS 2 PREMIERES ON DISNEY CINEMAGIC AT 4PM ON 25TH MARCH
CARS 2 IS OUT NOW ON BLU-RAY AND DVD
DISNEY CARS AUGMENTED REALITY BOOK IS OUT NOW (CARLTON BOOKS)
©2012 Disney/Pixar
Chinese New Year on Coffee and Tea
It doesn’t seem a year ago that the lions invaded the studio but they came back and did it all again as part of the celebrations for Chinese New Year.
In keeping with tradition the lion ripped down the lettuce, which we had hung up in the studio, and digested it before then spitting it out again; giving something back – representing growth and good fortune.
You can see above what was left when it had all died down again and peace restored in the studio .
Happy Chinese New Year!
read moreA Well Deserved Catch Up!
I’m sure you’ll all agree the weeks are now disappearing with Christmas, at the time of writing, only 8 days away! For me it doesn’t seem that long ago we had the shades on while enjoying the October heatwave. Over the past few years we have experienced heavy snow in the lead up to the main day but in contrast this year it has just been freeeezzzziinnng, and extremely windy.
Last week I was very grateful to Harry for taking over the hotseat while I was away in the Belgium city of Brussels looking around the EU buildings and being talked at by some MEPs. An interesting trip in all but I don’t follow it with a recommendation to visit.
Finally the school break is upon me which means that I can have a little time to relax in the Christmas build up. Anyway I’ll leave you there, be sure to check out the Local Chart page to see who is this week’s number 1!
See ya, Zach x
read moreAnniversary
A year already? You’re kidding right? The time has actually just flown by.
On the 25th September 2010 your local radio station launched onto the airwaves and brought Coffee and Tea to many homes and cars in the Basildon area. A year on, and with a fair few radio features tried then thrown out, we’re still going strong!
This week, as it’s our anniversary, I’ve got a brand new single lined up from Ed Sheeran and I’ll throw in a few surprises as well.
See you there! Saturday afternoons from twelve until three*
*includes the Local Chart 
Coffee & Tea
Hi there,
Did you see this tornado near the Basildon Town Centre today!? Pretty cool stuff!
Hope you’re well, its been a while, and you’ve had a good week. The weekend is just about here which means Coffee and Tea is on your airwaves between 12 and 3.
I’m back for the first time in 3 weeks live in the studio and I must say a massive thanks to Ros for sitting in over the past weeks. It’s also the first time me and Kurt (of Weekend Breakfast) have done our shows as normal for over a month!
Tomorrow I have the debut of the new Example track on Gateway 97.8 plus showbiz news throughout the show.
Join me from 12! Zach x
So I’ll see you tomorrow
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