Arctic Monkeys, Mike Oldfield Rush Up Charts

As Olympic effect takes hold

Arctic Monkeys and Mike Oldfield have been the main beneficiaries, as the Olympic opening ceremony begins to effect the charts.

As once in a lifetime affair, the Olympic opening ceremony was a spectacle which really couldn’t be denied. Astounding, subversive, at times quite moving Danny Boyle’s expertly orchestrated show caught the public’s imagination.

Now the ceremony’s effect on the charts can be gauged. Towards the end of the show, Arctic Monkeys appeared in full leathered up, slicked back hair mode.

The band stomped through ‘I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor’ before hurling themselves into a cover of The Beatles’ ‘Come Together’. The rough ‘n’ ready rendition was an immediate hit with fans, and when download sales opens the track went flying up the charts.

According to mid week figures, the cover version is at number 19 – all told, a pretty impressive feat. Elsewhere, Florence & The Machine is battling it out for number one, while Grime figure Wiley snaps at her heels with ‘Heatwave’.

Funnily enough, the only other new entry in the Top Ten is Olympic related – Underworld’s theme song ‘Caliban’s Dream’.

On the album chart, Ben Drew’s spell at number one could be over. Conor Maynard has rushed ahead, leaving ‘iLL Manors’ to split down at number two on the mid week charts.

The Olympic effect can be felt here, too, with Mike Oldfield enjoying a resurgence. ‘Two Sides: The Very Best Of’ has flown into the Top Ten, currently nestling at number six following his performance at the opening ceremony.

Don’t forget – the final figures are due in on Sunday evening…

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