U.K. MIDWEEKS: GARY BARLOW TAKES THE LEAD

Gary Barlow is heading toward claiming his third solo #1 on the U.K.’s Official Albums chart with Music Played by Humans (Polydor). Over on singles, Liam Gallagher looks set to claim the highest new entry.

At the midweek point, former Take That leader Barlow sits 4,300 chart sales ahead of Steps’ What the Future Holds (BMG), which is at #2.

The most-streamed album of the week so far is Miley Cyrus’ Plastic Hearts (RCA), which starts at #4. Also looking to secure new entries in this week’s Top 10 are Spandau Ballet’s retrospective, 40 Years–The Greatest Hits (Parlophone) at #6 and hits collection Singled Out (BMG), from Welsh singer Shakin’ Stevens, at #8.

Following her Studio 2054 livestream concert and the release of its bonus edition, Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia (Warner Records) rockets 18 places to #11.

As far as the U.K.’s Official Singles midweek chart, Gallagher’s charity single “All You’re Dreaming Of” (Warner) could be his highest-charting solo single on Friday (12/4) after having landed at #12 48 hours after release. Proceeds go to Action for Children.

Ariana Grande’s “positions” (Island) looks set to make it a sixth week at #1, as Little Mix’s “Sweet Melody” (RCA) climbs one place midweek to #2. Cyrus’ “Midnight Sky” could be looking at a new peak position of #3.

A number of festive tunes have made big leaps forward since Friday, 11/27: Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” (Columbia) is up 10 slots to #4, Wham!’s “Last Christmas” (Epic) is up 13 places to #7, Justin Bieber’s cover of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” an Amazon exclusive, zooms forward 40 places to #8 and “Fairytale of New York” (Atlantic) by The Pogues f/Kirsty MacColl is just behind at #10.