UK | Vinyl Alliance says Gen-Z is now the ‘driving force’ behind the format’s popularity: Generation Z is now the driving force behind vinyl’s current popularity, according to industry collective the Vinyl Alliance. The proportion of people listening to physical music (vinyl, cassette and CDs) is greatest amongst those aged 18 to 24, based on research by Key Production. A new report from the Vinyl Alliance has explored why Gen-Z is embracing the format – including integrating it into their digital lives. The survey of more than 2,500 vinyl fans worldwide found that over a quarter (76%) of Gen-Z vinyl fans buy records at least once a month, with eight in 10 (80%) owning a record player. With nearly 30% declaring themselves as a ‘die-hard collector,’ the report says Gen-Z vinyl fans are committed to regularly buying records and actively listening to them—rather than to keep just as collectible items.
New York, NY | Rough Trade to Open Second Record Store in New York’s Rockefeller Center: As if it weren’t surreal enough to have one outlet of the legendary indie record store Rough Trade in New York’s Rockefeller Center, right next to Radio City Music Hall, there soon will be two. “Rough Trade Below,” the new 4,000 square-foot space, opens this Spring and will be located on Rockefeller Center’s Rink Level, directly facing the Rockefeller Center/47-50 Street subway station. The space, which is significantly larger than the upstairs store, will offer more space for live-performance events and signings. Since the first Rockefeller Center store opened in 2021, after relocating from its former location in Brooklyn, it has hosted up-close, no-frills shows and signings with Green Day, Coldplay, Charli XCX, De La Soul and others.
Mt. Lebanon, PA | Local record store ‘unable’ to play music from artists that participated in Trump Inauguration: A tongue-in-cheek social media post from a local business is gaining attention. Needle & Bean in Mt. Lebanon posted on Instagram that they would no longer be carrying musicians like Carrie Underwood, The Village People, Kid Rock and other acts that performed at and at events surrounding the inauguration of Donald Trump last week. Michael Butala, owner of Needle & Bean tells KDKA Radio’s Colin Dunlap that his intention wasn’t to cause any division between the left and right or blue and red, it was a criticism of the new president. “It is about the elected official of the free world,” said Butala, implying Trump. “On the surface, I feel like America deserved a better representative to the rest of the world…”
Richmond, VA | Vinyl Conflict where Richmond music gets love: Richmond isn’t flashy. Its culture doesn’t scream for attention; it waits for you to find it. Vinyl Conflict is a record shop that doesn’t just sling albums but actively shapes the city’s music scene, funding releases, hosting shows, and putting Richmond’s artists on the map. Myles Black, a senior at VCU and local music fan, discovered that firsthand when he stepped into the shop. …While interning at MSQ Shop, Myles helped with a few videos for Nickelus F’s album MMCHT. When he saw that Nick and Vinyl Conflict were pressing the album on vinyl and hosting a release party, he knew he had to be there. “The album is fire,” he says plainly. At the party, Myles met Bobby Egger, the shop’s owner, and caught an impromptu performance by Nick himself. “As someone who has made music myself, I was so hype to see a local record store pressing a local artist. That moment stuck with me.”
Whitchurch, UK | Spencer’s Record Barn opens in Whitchurch high street: A record collector has opened a shop in Whitchurch after more than 40 years of trading at record fairs. Spencer Walters opened Spencer’s Record Barn in the town on December 6, offering a wide variety of vinyl and CDs including new releases from Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and more as well as old releases from the 70s, 80s and 90s. The 58-year-old, who describes himself as a die-hard music lover, previously ran a record shop in Winchester in the 1980s but was forced to close it due to increasing rent prices. The Whitchurch resident explained that when an opportunity came up in December to open a new shop in the town’s centre, he went for it as he has ‘wanted to get back into it [owning a record shop] for a while.’ “I love doing this, this is not a job for me…”
Birmingham, AL | Seasick Records, Classic Cuts Barbershop + more moving to new Lakeview development: A new hub for retail, dining and entertainment is coming soon to Birmingham’s Lakeview district. Dubbed Lakeview Marina, the new development will be anchored by several beloved local businesses—including Seasick Records, Birmingham Classic Cuts Barbershop and Cook Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. …“Pepper Place was a game changer for Birmingham. I have a lot of admiration for Cathy Sloss Jones and how she had the creativity to see that opportunity. This development was guided by my memories of what Southside was like in the 80s and 90s, epitomized by spaces like The Garage and Charlemange Records in Five Points South. These places meant a lot to me growing up. Our goal with Lakeview Marina is to preserve that unique atmosphere as Birmingham continues to grow.”
Upton, UK | New music shop Rock on Son Records ‘just what Upton needs.’ A new record shop in the heart of Upton has been dubbed exactly what the town needs. Upton – a town known for its various musical festivals – has welcomed the opening of a new record and music shop, Rock on Son Records. Owner and music fan Tim Shearer had decided to quit his job of 30 years as an electrician to bring the store to the river-side town. He said: “It is something I have always wanted to do. …Since opening at the beginning of January, Mr Shearer has received many compliments on his new venture, including some saying it is exactly what the town needs. Upton is a town known for hosting the likes of Upton Blues, Upton Upon Severn Folk Festival, Upton Jazz and Woo Festival. However, it has not had a record shop to complement the many annual music events it hosts. “There is a big market for records and the industry is booming,” added Mr Shearer.
Brighton, UK | Family Store Records host Goodbye & Cordelia Gartside: Family Store Records and Gallery hosted the first of their monthly live events on Friday evening, with sets by two of Brighton’s finest new bands, Goodbye (stylised as ‘goodbye’) and Cordelia Gartside. As well as the intimate performances in their store at 74 North Road, Brighton, which opened in January 2023, the sessions were recorded live on Slack City radio. Fast-rising band Goodbye have burst onto the Brighton scene since their debut back in September (review HERE) on a wave of word-of-mouth excitement. With a mutual love of The Cure and Slowdive, their sound wistfully dances between melancholic melodies and dreamy, nostalgia-laced tones, earning them glowing reviews and early comparisons to Sonic Youth and The Sundays.
Brookline, MA | Audio story: How Village Vinyl & Hi Fi keeps record culture spinning in Brookline: “A short scenic walk from the Coolidge Corner Tea Station in Brookline, located near Bostonian favorites, a J.P. Licks ice cream and the Coolidge Corner Theater, sits Village Vinyl & Hi Fi. The first thing you are met with when you walk into the store is a multitude of bins filled to the brim with records. The store is filled with customers, young and old, and the music sold reflects that. You can find anything from Frank Sinatra to Tyler the Creator to Mahler. Carla, Pam, and Ed are newfound customers…”
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