Dublin band Kodaline’s debut album storms up UK charts

Kodaline’s debut album In A Perfect World has entered the official UK album charts in second spot.

The Dublin band was at number one in the midweek charts but were just pipped to the top slot by Kanye West’s latest release Yeezus.

Guitarist Mark Prendergast said it was a "surreal" experience to be sandwiched at the top of the UK album charts between Kayne West and Black Sabbath.

"Black Sabbath are one of the biggest bands of all time and we're huge fans of Kayne West and here's this small indie band from Ireland, " he said.

“We thought if we were lucky that we might get into the top 10. It’s really taken off for us back in Ireland, but we’re still getting our heads around what is happening abroad.”

Kodaline are originally from Swords where singer Stephen Garrigan and Prendergast grew up close to each other. The lineup has been completed by bassist Jason Boland and drummer Vinny May.

Their album went straight to number one in the Irish album charts, having been launched on board the Cill Airne during the week.

The band’s success in the UK has been helped by influential radio DJ Fern Cotton, who has championed the band from the beginning, and from having their singles High Hopes and Love Like This added to the BBC Radio 1 playlist.

The band has scored unlikely chart success in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and in the download charts for the whole of Africa. "We haven't even been there yet. This whole week has been weird," said Prendergast.