Warner Music U.K. scored the summer’s biggest hit with LF System’s “Afraid to Feel,” which spent eight weeks at the top of the chart in July and August. The track joins three other #1 singles for the label this year, from Gayle, Eliza Rose and David Guetta with Bebe Rexha and eight #1 albums from homegrown talent, including Charli XCX, Liam Gallagher and Muse. Chart success aside, Warner Music U.K. CEO Tony Harlow says his reason for celebration this year is being back together in person.

"The return of live music has been amazing, and while the huge number of gigs and events has tested our stamina at times, seeing all our artists back performing again and interacting with their adoring fans has brought even more meaning and enthusiasm to what we do,” he asserts.

Asked about the biggest challenges he’s facing in the job, Harlow indicates the importance of maintaining diversity, inclusivity and fairness at his company and the sector at large: “An industry that is representative of artists and audiences, listens and is based on respect, like everyone needs across society—that’s the fight we can’t ever stop.”

As for his take on how the globalization of music might threaten the success of British acts, he acknowledges the influence of easy access to other creative cultures but remains upbeat about the U.K.’s export potential.

“Music is an integral part of who we are as a culture. We have total faith that the U.K. produces unique talent with a unique perspective and that, in the long run, that talent will knock down any walls that might be holding it back,” he affirms. “The streaming space ultimately goes to great acts and the U.K. has lots of those. If we back them, they will win out. So we will continue to make culturally relevant records with artists we believe in and then support them brilliantly and with commitment both in the U.K. and globally.” And, he adds, “as the Afrobeats explosion has shown, the global stage just brings more influences and stories for our creators to absorb and work with.”

Harlow also references the metaverse, new platforms and the democratization of demand as some of the areas he and his team are keeping an eye on. “We want and need to be represented there and innovate, but in the end, even that comes back to great music and creating conversation and excitement around it,” he concludes. “That’s the focus.”

WMG Acts to Watch: Leigh-Anne, Yaz, Sam Ryder