Albums by artists including Arctic Monkeys, Adele and Charlie Simpson have reportedly been destroyed after rioters in London set fire to a stock warehouse on Monday.
The fire resulted in stock from over 150 record labels being lost, and music fans are now being urged to support independent labels by buying digital downloads of albums.
The Sony DADC building in Enfield, north London was torched by thugs causing chaos across the British capital, which has seen widespread violence and looting since Saturday.
The three-storey warehouse served as the headquarters for PIAS, the UK’s biggest distributor of independent music in the UK.
It held stock for more than 150 record labels including Rough Trade, Beggars Banquet, Ninja Tune, Domino, Warp, and XL.
The Association of Independent Music has called on fans to show their support for small labels by buying digital downloads.
Most large retailers have reserve stock for back catalogue titles, but not for new and upcoming releases, which is a key market for independent labels with high volumes of new artists in their rosters.
“Buy a digital download of an album from any one of the digital retailers in the UK, as well as going to their local record store while stocks last,” Aim said in a statement. “This way, the labels will be able to remanufacture their CDs and vinyl more quickly, to resupply the record shops who are also affected by the riots.”
A spokesperson for PIAS has confirmed the fire and revealed that bosses are “implementing their emergency plans” in the wake of the blaze.
CDs and DVDs from other distribution centres are expected to begin reaching retailers on Thursday.
Monday night’s fire, which destroyed the 20,000 sq m warehouse, has hit independent labels hard as Pias distributes stock for about 165 indie labels including Rough Trade, Beggars Banquet and Ninja Tune.
Larger groups, such as Beggars Group, which releases Adele through its label XL, have said they have stock in different warehouses and can handle the loss, but smaller labels are facing considerable difficulties.
Three teenage males have been arrested in connection with the arson attack on the Sony warehouse.
Scotland Yard said two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old had been arrested in connection with violent disorder and the arson at the warehouse. Two remain in custody while a 17-year-old has been bailed.
