Now more than ever, British musicians are jumping ship, crossing over to America and becoming just as successful here as they are in their native U.K. Two words: One Direction.
America first got a taste of the “British Invasion” in the 1960s when a then little-known band, The Beatles, swept the nation away. They went from heartthrobs to legends, thanks to their beautiful music and dynamic performance style. They and other British bands like the Rolling Stones have influenced rock ’n’ roll for generations.
Today, British musicians have become so mainstream that it’s as if they and their exceptionally cool accents have always been with us.
Bands
Coldplay has been making music since 1996 and is still going strong. They have five studio albums, with popular tracks “Yellow,” “Paradise,” “Fix You” and countless others. Lead singer Chris Martin, drummer Will Champion, guitarist Jonny Buckland and bass player Guy Berryman have a new song “Atlas” that will be featured on “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” soundtrack. With seven Grammy wins, these British rockers are here to stay.
One Direction was formed during the U.K.’s “The X Factor,” and they have been all over the radio and tween magazines ever since. Members of the boy band include Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson. Their third album, “Midnight Memories,” comes out in November and these boys have a fan base that spans throughout the world. Their hits, like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Best Song Ever”, have only made fans fall in love with them even more.
Grammy-winning folk-rock group Mumford and Sons gained success following the U.S. release of their debut album “Sigh no More” in 2009. Their second album “Babel” catapulted their careers even further with “Lover of the Light” and “I Will Wait.” Lead singer Marcus Mumford, guitarist Ted Dwane, drummer and keyboardist Ben Lovett, and electric guitarist Country Winston are currently on hiatus after nonstop touring.
Solo acts
England-born Adele is a leading artist, not just in the U.K., but worldwide. A powerhouse vocalist, she became a superstar in 2011 with her second album, “21.” Songs like “Rolling in the Deep” and “Rumour Has It” were blasted all over the radio, and we couldn’t help but be captured by her talent. This Grammy winner also won an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Skyfall,” from the James Bond film of the name, in February.
Ed Sheeran is a young guitarist who appeals to a younger generation. He is currently the opening act on his buddy Taylor Swift’s RED Tour. This singer-songwriter’s first studio album “+” had hits like “Lego House” and “The A Team,” for which he received a Song of the Year Grammy nomination.
Cher Lloyd was a contestant on “The X Factor” and although she didn’t win, she has become a successful pop/rap artist. Her hit “Want U Back” from her debut album “Sticks + Stones” has spanned U.K. and U.S. charts. She is currently on tour promoting her album.
