Parlophone Records

United Kingdom • LondonFounded 1896

Parlophone Records is a Warner Music Group imprint founded in 1896 in the UK, making it one of the oldest record labels in the world. It was acquired by WMG from EMI in 2013. Its catalog includes The Beatles, Queen, and Radiohead, and its modern roster includes Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, and Blur.

Contact & HQ

Headquarters

27 Wrights Lane, London, UK

Ownership & Distribution

Label Type

Major Imprint

Parent Company

Warner Music Group

Distribution

Warner Music Group

Additional Details

Genres

PopRockAlternative

Signing Process

Parlophone runs its own A&R in the UK. Unsolicited demos are not accepted. Artists are signed through referrals and A&R scouting.

Demo Policy

No unsolicited demos. Submit through representation.

Notable Artists

Coldplay
Kylie Minogue
Blur
The Beatles (catalog)
Queen (catalog)
Radiohead (catalog)

Sub-Labels / Imprints

EMI Records

Parlophone Records is a Warner Music Group imprint founded in 1896 in the UK, making it one of the oldest record labels in the world. WMG acquired it from EMI in 2013. Parlophone's catalog includes The Beatles, Queen, and Radiohead, three of the most commercially significant catalogs in rock history. Its modern roster includes Coldplay, Kylie Minogue, and Blur.

Parlophone is one of the four core WMG labels (alongside Atlantic, Elektra, and Warner Records). Its UK operation is a major force in British pop and rock. The Beatles catalog alone makes Parlophone one of the most valuable label assets in music.

How Parlophone Operates

Parlophone runs dedicated A&R in the UK with WMG's global distribution behind it. It signs and develops British pop and rock acts, and its catalog division manages The Beatles, Queen, and Radiohead archives. EMI Records operates alongside Parlophone within WMG's UK operations.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

For British pop and rock artists, Parlophone is a historic and credible target. Its roster of long-term British acts (Coldplay, Blur) shows a commitment to career development. The association with The Beatles and Queen catalogs gives the brand unmatched cultural weight in the UK.

Drawbacks and Things to Consider

Master ownership: Parlophone (via WMG) owns your masters under a standard deal.
Catalog dominates: The Beatles, Queen, and Radiohead catalogs are the commercial engine. New signings compete for attention against reissue campaigns.
No unsolicited demos: You need representation or an A&R relationship.
UK-focused: Parlophone's primary signing activity is in the UK market.