I believe the last time this question came up, the most common answer (or at least one of them) was Tame Impala.

He has now achieved one with ‘Dracula’!

Who do we think is in contention for this title now?

Wolf Alice as one of the contenders? Perhaps not the biggest streamers in this category though.

The Neighbourhood have more platinum non-top 40s than anyone else in terms of non-top 40 acts but I doubt anyone would say they are the biggest artist with no top 40s. Can't think of many "classic" artists who don't have a top 40 hit, I'll say Phoebe Bridgers is a big recent contender though.

Edited October 16Oct 16 by gasman449

Regarding global sales, probably Sublime, Hootie and the Blowfish or Grateful Dead? All huge in the US. GD don't even have a top 75 hit.

Edited October 16Oct 16 by Sour Candy

Elley Duhé

Renee Rapp first comes to mind as biggest of the moment who has no top 40s having recently had a number one album and a few minor top 100 singles placements

for rock/alt acts besides Wolf Alice - Spiritbox, Royel Otis, Amyl and the Sniffers could be in contention

I think Wolf Alice would be my shout for this now too - consistently getting critically acclaimed top 2 albums for a decade now and have made the singles chart with at least one song from each of the last 3 albums but no top 40s yet (hopefully they can break their duck soon like Mr. Impala did). Royal Blood are in a similar camp - actually having 4 for 4 #1 albums - although their most recent album felt somewhat less impactful than the previous ones.

Wolf Alice & Nothing But Thieves are my top picks, at least for recent artists.

It feels crazy that Catfish and the Bottlemen only have one Top 40 too.

Dunno what their certifications are like, but Cigarettes After Sex are another big one for 'crazy big streaming numbers for songs you might not have ever heard of'.

6 minutes ago, Dircadirca said:

Dunno what their certifications are like, but Cigarettes After Sex are another big one for 'crazy big streaming numbers for songs you might not have ever heard of'.

Good shout - and they played the O2 Arena in 2024, so they have some sort of fanbase.

Most Top 75 hits without reaching the Top 40: Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (8)

1 minute ago, Last Dreamer said:

Most Top 75 hits without reaching the Top 40: Gorky's Zygotic Mynci (8)

This isn't true any more. Loski and Unknown T both have 9 (I feel like there might be others who have more as well, but these are the ones I remember from the last time someone said this).

3 minutes ago, Brer said:

This isn't true any more. Loski and Unknown T both have 9 (I feel like there might be others who have more as well, but these are the ones I remember from the last time someone said this).

Wikipedia pages for both acts talk about the record, but

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loski (I counted only 7)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unknown_T (8 songs mentioned, same result with GZM)

We need any chart geek with a database who will confirm the record holders.

Rick Wakeman has twelve top 40 albums but no hit singles. The Black And White Mistrels had eleven top 40 albums, including three number 1s and Dream Theater have eight.

If you combine Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson, they have twelve top 40 albums.

I don't know if any of those can be regarded as big enough names.

Reneé Rapp!

25 minutes ago, Last Dreamer said:

Wikipedia pages for both acts talk about the record, but

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loski (I counted only 7)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unknown_T (8 songs mentioned, same result with GZM)

We need any chart geek with a database who will confirm the record holders.

Per Polyhex:

19/05/2018	GRM Daily Featuring Skrapz, Avelino, Asco, Loski And AJ Tracey	London's Calling	69	{69}->1
08/09/2018	iLL Blu Featuring Krept And Konan, Loski And ZieZie	Chop My Money	64	73-71-65-{64}-67-69-73->7
02/03/2019	DigDat And Loski	No Cap	51	{51}-75->2
28/03/2020	Loski	Allegedly	65	{65}->1
04/07/2020	Loski And MoStack	Training Day	75	{75}->1
08/08/2020	Loski And MizOrMac	On Me	57	{57}->1
15/08/2020	Jay1 Featuring Loski	Tee	65	{65}->1
07/11/2020	Morrisson Featuring Loski	Bad Guy	47	{47}->1
28/11/2020	Loski And Stormzy	Flavour	43	{43}-44-74->3

(Wikipedia list is missing 'London's Calling' entirely and does not list a chart position for 'Bad Guy')

15/09/2018	Unknown T	Homerton B	48	75-72-61-57-54-51-{48}-56-62-65-66-67R(2)->12
02/03/2019	Unknown T x Crazy Cousinz	Throwback	63	{63}->1
13/07/2019	Unknown T Featuring AJ Tracey	Leave Dat Trap	53	{53}->1
14/03/2020	Unknown T	Fresh Home	55	{55}->1
13/06/2020	Ill Blu Featuring M24 And Unknown T	Dumpa	70	{70}->1
23/01/2021	Unknown T	WW2	42	{42}-63->2
26/06/2021	Unknown T Featuring M Huncho	Wonderland	52	{52}-73->2
13/11/2021	Abra Cadabra And Unknown T	Double Tap	64	{64}->1
18/03/2023	Unknown T	Right Hand	70	{70}->1

(Wikipedia does not list a chart position for 'Dumpa')

Gorky's Zygotic Mynci probably still have the record for hits as lead artist.

James Last?

65 top 75 albums and no top 40 singles.

Alfie Boe has 12 top 10 albums including 4 #1s but has never even made the top 100 on the singles chart.

Going back even to the 80s there's been loads of acts who have had hits in America but none in the UK like Expose, Sweet Sensation, Seduction (feat. Michelle Visage),

and more examples like Rick Springfield,

Royal Blood?