The VideoLAN Forums

Hey all,

I'm positive this isn't a new issue, but I've tried searching on the https://trac.videolan.org/vlc/, here on the forums, and a bit online but my problem is sort of unsearchable due to the generic terms I'm using, hence I'm just going to post and hope someone has seen or knows what I'm talking about.

I'm using the Android 3.1.7 client on an SGS7E (SM-G935W8) on Android 8.0.0 (Kernel 3.18.91) but I'm seeing all of the "the" artists clumped together down in the "T"s.

Not quite a screenshot, but my actual view is:

System of a Down
Taking Back Sunday
The Beaches
The Black Keys
The Cardigans
The Dillinger Escape Plan
The Faceless

It would be nice to see these "the" artists up at the B, C, D, and F areas but I'm not sure if this is implemented.

I'm happy to modify my FLAC's ARTISTSORT or whatever fields are necessary (nothing I tried did work), but I would prefer to leave the "The" in there for my eyes.
Is there an existing way to tell the VLC library sorting to ignore the "the"?

Hey did you ever find a solution to this issue? I'm trying to switch to VLC from Google play music and this is pretty annoying.

Hey did you ever find a solution to this issue? I'm trying to switch to VLC from Google play music and this is pretty annoying.

Hey squanch.
I'm surprised anyone is able to read this post by how many answers I got from the community.

I did find a bit of a work-around that helped me at least get things in order.
The "ALBUMARTIST" field is read for the name to sort and show so you can set that.
e.g. here's some output of one of mine

comment[13]: ALBUMARTISTSORT=Mars Volta, The
comment[29]: ARTIST=The Mars Volta
comment[30]: ARTISTSORT=Mars Volta, The
comment[31]: ARTISTS=The Mars Volta
comment[38]: ALBUMARTIST=Mars Volta, The

You do have to put up with the artist sort name showing up with a trailing ", The" and looking a bit dumb, as VLC does not correct for this error on either side of the problem.
Hope that helps!

It's just
```
String prefix = "The";
```

I don't know how to update the title, as perhaps just putting it in quotes is smarter.
Any admin can feel free to help there.