The public exhibition will stop at Glasgow Central Station from Tuesday 10th September before travelling to Manchester Piccadilly from Thursday 19th September, Birmingham New Street from Monday 30th September and finishing in London’s London Bridge from Wednesday 9th October.

National Album Day artist champions representing each part of the UK, Lewis Capaldi (Scotland), Elbow (the North), Mahalia (the Midlands) and Mark Ronson (London & the South), have each selected the six albums that have inspired them; these lists will sit alongside picks from local music critics and local record stores. The Official Charts Company have also compiled the six best-selling albums of the millennium in each area.

The ‘Sounds of…’ exhibition will reflect all 24 album choices from these combined lists relevant to each area to present a cross-cultural view of each area’s musical landscape both past and present, from BRIT Award and Mercury Prize winners through to lesser known acts shaping and influencing the sound of each part of the UK.

Local artists to be featured in the Network Rail exhibition include The Streets, Robbie Williams, UB40, Black Sabbath, ELO and Laura Mvula,

The Sounds of the Midlands exhibition will be staged at Birmingham New Street from 30th September-9th October

The lists of albums were decided upon by National Album Day artist champions, music critics, record stores and Official Charts Company chart data: The Midlands representatives were Mahalia/Lyle Bignon (music journalist and Birmingham Music Coalition founder) and legendary record shop The Diskery.

Sounds of the Midlands selected were:

MAHALIA
1. Billie Eilish – When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? (2019)
2. Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)
3. Corinne Bailey Rae – Corinne Bailey Rae (2006)
4. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
5. Elli Ingram – Love You Really (2017)
6. Amy Winehouse – Frank (2003)

OFFICIAL CHARTS
1. Robbie Williams – Swing When You’re Winning (2001)
2. James Morrison – Undiscovered (2006)
3. Ellie Goulding – Halcyon (2012)
4. The Streets – A Grand Don’t Come For Free (2004)
5. Kasabian – Kasabian (2004)
6. Jake Bugg – Jake Bugg (2012)

CRITIC – Lyle Bignon
1. UB40 – Signing Off (1980)
2. The Specials – The Specials (1979)
3. Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left (1969)
4. Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Searching For The Young Soul Rebels (1980)
5. Laura Mvula – Sing To The Moon (2013)
6. Juice Aleem – Jerusalaam Come (2009)