The U.K. might be a small island in the ocean, but we definitely had a big voice in music this past year. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) just released some numbers, and I wanted to take a quick minute to give a big shout-out to some of the U.K.'s finest musical exports who made a splash over here in America.

For any British artist, "breaking America" is a huge deal and a very tough thing to do. There have been artists like Robbie Williams — who are hugely famous and incredibly popular back home — who come to the U.S. with the hopes and dreams to replicate that success and end up being sorely disappointed.

But then there are the newcomers that hit the music scene just last year, like "X-Factor" winner Leona Lewis, Duffy, Adele, Estelle and the Ting Tings.

According to the BPI, one in 10 albums bought in the U.S. was by a British artist. That's big. In fact, that's huge. The figures actually show that the U.K. market share rose from 8.5 percent in 2007, and in Canada, British artists accounted for almost 15 percent of album sales.

Sitting on top of the Brit Pack are, of course, one of the biggest bands in the world: Coldplay. Chris and the boys' Viva la Vida was the second best-selling album in the U.S. last year, selling more than 5 million singles, followed closely by Leona Lewis, who shifted just under 4.75 million albums — impressive.

So here's a toast to the Brit Pack. Keep it coming!

Did you miss Coldplay's Track-By-Track Tour of Viva La Vida? Check it out, after the jump!
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This place needs its own zip code. Really. It’s been a few years since I was at Lollapalooza, but this place qualifies as a small town within one of America’s biggest cities. Took a full half hour to walk the length of Grant Park this afternoon. Began the day with two sets from very different places, geographically and musically – conscience and hip-hop from Somali musician K’naan, followed by my brothers from the ATL, The Black Lips, delivering plenty of flower punk, and some gobs of spit.

(Watch our video interviews from Chicago, including chats with the Cool Kids and the Black Lips, and check back for more all weekend!)

Speaking of expectorate, you can’t spit at this place without hitting a beer stand. Bud Light everywhere you turn, plus there’s a beer garden this year with a ton of microbrews. Food is another matter. No, really. I hiked half a mile until I came across any food vendors. Very odd. Not sure if they are trying to keep the garbage in one place, but not a good move.

On my walk, I passed Perry’s – Perry Farrell’s dance tent in a grove. Very cool atmosphere – though this early in the day, and without the benefit of, you know, the state of mind that makes dance tents fly, it was a bit subdued. DJ Wally Joy on the ones and twos, and hanging from the trees there were day glo fabrics and spheres, from the man who gave you Porno for Pyros and ENIT. Once a trippy dude, always a trippy dude.

Did someone say trippy? Next on my journey, I encountered “Eat Your Own Spaceship,” a circus tent seemingly operated by none other than those creatures from another galaxy called Oklahoma, the Flaming Lips, who are screening their long-discussed film “Christmas on Mars” here at Lolla. The tent is surrounded by pics of the Lips, and written in Russian, a call to make weed weegal.

Finally, I found a vegan burrito (they are gonna starve these people) and now it’s off to an afternoon and evening chatting with Grizzly Bear, Duffy, CSS, the Raconteurs and more. No Radiohead interview, alas. Thom: If you are reading this, I will be on site till about 11 if you change your mind.

(Watch our video interviews from Chicago, including chats with the Cool Kids and the Black Lips, and check back for more all weekend!)

As if her life weren't already a tragic soap opera that could only play late at night on pay cable, Amy Winehouse is reportedly set to be featured in a new online Web drama called "The Secret World of Sam King," which will be set in the offices of Universal Records.

Also rumored to be appearing on the soap — which will only be available to users of the social-networking site Bebo — are Razorlight, Bloc Party, Duffy, Girls Aloud and the Feeling. In what sounds like an attempt at a rock-and-roll rip-off of "The Office," the show is said to follow the ups and downs of a teenage mail-room worker at the label who sets up his own office "at the back of a stationary cupboard." Sounds ... fascinating.