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Daft Punk success sparks French record industry revival Daft Punk success sparks French record industry revival
(35 minutes later)
When a pair of Parisian androids who had already revolutionised French music's image abroad hinted that their first album in eight years would be a feelgood, up-yours to the gloom of the financial crisis, the critics took them at their word. But now the accountants also agree as French duo Daft Punk's hugely successful album Random Access Memories has boosted overall record sales in France, prompting the industry's first positive results after a decade of decline. When a pair of Parisian androids who had already revolutionised French music's image abroad hinted that their first album in eight years would be a feelgood, up-yours to the gloom of the financial crisis, the critics took them at their word. But now the accountants also agree as the French duo Daft Punk's hugely successful album Random Access Memories has boosted overall record sales in France, prompting the industry's first positive results after a decade of decline.
After a poor start to the year fitting with the morose and struggling French record industry, the second trimester of 2013 registered a 22.7% leap in sales compared with the same period in 2012 - largely down to the enigmatic duo in robotic headgear whose new album was released in May. After a poor start to the year fitting with the morose and struggling French record industry, the second trimester of 2013 registered a 22.7% leap in sales compared with the same period in 2012 – largely down to the enigmatic duo in robotic headgear whose new album was released in May.
The boost means that total record sales in France in the first six months of 2013 are up 6.1% compared with 2012, with a turnover of €217.8m (£184m). The increase included CD sales as well as digital revenue from downloading and streaming.The boost means that total record sales in France in the first six months of 2013 are up 6.1% compared with 2012, with a turnover of €217.8m (£184m). The increase included CD sales as well as digital revenue from downloading and streaming.
At a press conference, the major French music industry production union, the Syndicat National de L'Édition Phonographique, expressed cautious optimism, saying that Daft Punk had acted as a driving factor that sparked the French public to return French music as a whole and buy albums by other French bands. Nine of the top 10-selling albums over the period were French. At a press conference, the major French music industry production union, the Syndicat National de L'Édition Phonographique, expressed cautious optimism, saying that Daft Punk had acted as a driving factor that sparked the public to return to French music as a whole and buy albums by other homegrown bands. Nine of the top 10-selling albums over the period were French.
The Daft Punk album, which has sold more than 500,000 digital and CD copies in France, has broken records abroad. This week, Amazon announced that Random Access Memories had become its best-selling vinyl LP of all time.The Daft Punk album, which has sold more than 500,000 digital and CD copies in France, has broken records abroad. This week, Amazon announced that Random Access Memories had become its best-selling vinyl LP of all time.
In the UK, the album sold 165,000 copies in the first week alone. Get Lucky, the first single from the album became the fastest French single to reach 1m sales in the UK, beating the French club DJ David Guetta's previous record. In the UK, the album sold 165,000 copies in the first week alone. Get Lucky, the first single from the album, became the fastest French single to reach 1m sales in the UK, beating the French club DJ David Guetta's previous record.
For years, French record companies have complained of a decline in sales, with the most powerful petitioning the government for help with the industry. This week, the culture minister, Aurélie Filippetti, announced two new consultations, on contracts related to music online and the showcasing of music on TV and radio. For years, French record companies have complained of a decline in sales, with the most powerful firms petitioning the government for help with the industry. This week, the culture minister, Aurélie Filippetti, announced two new consultations, on contracts related to online music and the showcasing of music on TV and radio.
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