‘Heartbroken’ Ashton Irwin thanks fans for their support after 5SOS was robbed of a No. 1 on the US Billboard Chart because their album was released by mistake a week early
Ashton Irwin has spoken out after 5 Seconds of Summer’s new album, Calm, was ‘robbed’ of the No. 1 spot on the US Billboard Charts this week.
In a video shared to Twitter on Tuesday, the 25-year-old drummer thanked fans for their support but admitted he was ‘disappointed’.
Calm is sitting at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album charts, but it would likely have debuted at No. 1 had it not been released a week early by mistake.
‘It’s disappointing and my heart broke when I found out’: Ashton Irwin thanked fans for support on Tuesday, as he spoke out about 5SOS being robbed of a No. 1 on the US Billboard charts
Ashton thanked fans for buying the record and doing their best to help it reach No. 1.
He said: ‘I just want to say I appreciate you contesting and fighting for our No. 1 record in the U.S.
‘We’re left with the No. 2 spot this week and, may I add, that I think it’s absolutely astonishing and incredible that we’re even at the top of those charts in the calibre of artists that are there with us.
‘Records were released a week early that we had no control over, which is very disappointing. Quite honestly, my heart broke when I found out about that.’
So close! The band’s new album, Calm, is currently at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 charts, but the record was released a week early – so the figures for the placing are incorrect and they narrowly missed out on the top spot
The top spot: Coming in at No. 1 on the Billboard chart is The Weeknd, with his album, After Hours
He added: ‘It was released a week early and we lost 10,000 records. We managed to retrieve some that were released early and it was in the tens of thousands to begin with.’
Ashton said that other artists whose records were released early have had their charts positions ‘amended’.
He concluded: ‘It seems like that isn’t going to happen to us. But I want you to know that I’m extremely proud of this fan base for having a voice.
‘I love you guys, remain sincere, keep voicing when things are wrong and I’ll try and be as brave as you are.’
Speaking out: Ashton tweeted alongside the video, saying he was ‘apprehensive’ to share his thoughts
Ashton also tweeted that he was ‘apprehensive’ about sharing his thoughts on the Billboard Chart fiasco.
‘I think I’ve censored myself fairly well,’ he wrote. ‘I feel fearful to speak up about the albums that went out early for fear or losing partnership with media outlets.’
The No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart is After Hours by The Weeknd.
Support: He immediately received support from fans, with one fan page tweeting: ‘Our hearts are broken with you. We’re so sorry. We will NOT stop fighting for you’
Calm has reached to the top of the charts in Australia and the UK, but according to Billboard.com, a warehouse error prevented 5SOS from nabbing the top spot on the US charts.
On March 23, 10,000 advance copies were sent out to fans who had pre-ordered the album four days early, preventing them from celebrating a win in all three markets.
After prematurely debuting at No. 62, the hitmakers were forced to release a statement to their social media, explaining the recent mishap.
Over the weekend, over 20,000 furious fans signed a petition and called for the number of records sent out early to be recognised towards their album count.
Error: On March 23, 10,000 advance copies were sent out to fans who had pre-ordered the album four days early, preventing them from celebrating a win in all three markets