Grand Rapids, MI | The Best Spots To Go Vinyl Record Shopping In Grand Rapids: My record player and I have a wonderful relationship. My ex got me it for Christmas one year and it continues to be the most important item in my house. I would not say my record collection is even slightly something to brag about, but I love listening to music on vinyl. It feels far more personal to me than just streaming something on Spotify. Thankfully, there are plenty of spots around Grand Rapids to shop for records. Vintage shops, record shops, antique shops, and more are on every corner. So, whether you’ve been a fan of vinyl since before they were cool or recently started, here are some of the best spots to purchase them.
Bristol, UK | Bristol record store Idle Hands to reopen two years after being shuttered: The shop is set to reopen this Wednesday with a launch party at The Red Church. Beloved Bristol record store Idle Hands is set to reopen this week more than two years after it was shuttered due to financial strain. The shop and record label announced its reopening earlier today on Instagram, explaining that Idle Hands will relocate to a new space in central Bristol after spending 11 years on City Road. “We are back,” said owner Chris Farrell. …Idle Hands will reopen on Wednesday, November 20, followed by a launch party at The Red Church on Friday, November 29, featuring Marion Hawkes from Sound Advice in Belfast and Chris Farrell himself B2B with Milly On Air. “Although it was never my intention to be closed for two years, after some false starts and dead ends, Idle Hands is finally re-opening this Wednesday.”
Miami, FL | This Miami Record Shop & Other Florida Stores Are Hosting ‘Wicked’ Listening Parties This Weekend: To celebrate the new “Wicked” soundtrack and all the songs we know and love getting a fresh spin, these local record stores are hosting listening parties with exclusive freebies and prizes! The time has finally come! We’re officially days away from “Wicked” hitting the big screen, which stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba. And with the film premiering soon (Nov. 22), the official soundtrack is sure to hit the shelves. In celebration of its release, select record stores across the country are holding in-store listening parties. The official Record Store Day US released a list of participating stores in nearly 40 states — including Florida! While fans can expect to listen to the album in its entirety, they can also get their hands on freebies like an exclusive poster or enter a giveaway to win a special beanie.
Burlington, CT | Monkees tribute band founder opens the Nevermind Shop in CT, with vinyl from Abba to ZZ Top: Big-voiced and shaggy-haired, Mick Lawless seems to never stop moving, smiling and laughing—and most of all—talking about his music career and how it brought him to open The Nevermind Shop, which has relocated to Burlington. Specializing in vinyl records from the post-British Invasion-era, Nevermind originally opened in Hudson, Mass., in 2000. Lawless moved it to Upton, Mass., in 2008. In October, he moved it again, to Burlington Commons on the Spielman Highway, where Lawless intends to stay. “I moved out here because I had some different opportunities,” he said in the back office and workshop of his new 1,500-square-foot location. “Amazing what love can do. I found a girl, a nice girl. We’ve been together a couple years now, and we came out here.”
Riyadh, SA | Old school, new love: Analog tech captures hearts in Saudi Arabia: In an era marked by digital convenience, analog technology is steadily making a comeback, with everything from vinyl records to film cameras experiencing a renaissance around the Kingdom. Driven by a blend of nostalgia, artistry, and an appreciation for the tactile, this resurgence reflects a deeper cultural shift toward mindfulness and intentionality. Arab News spoke to enthusiasts and entrepreneurs about the beauty, challenges, and personal connections that analog offers over its digital counterparts. For music lovers, vinyl offers an experience that is impossible to replicate digitally. Fawaz Al-Sulaim, owner of Bohemia Records, said: “Experiencing music through vinyl or cassette brings you closer to it, like you’re there with the artists in the studio. You go through every song on the album as intended.”
Paris, FR | 100,000 vinyl records, 70 exhibitors and 8 DJs at the 13th edition of Paris Loves Vinyl: Paris Loves Vinyl returns to the Espace Reuilly on Sunday December 1, 2024, to the delight of sound diggers. Paris Loves Vinyl, the benchmark event in the world of the black galette, will take over the Espace Reuilly with a 13ᵉ edition. On the festive menu: 100,000 second-hand vinyls, 70 exhibitors and 8 DJs ready to give it their all. Music lovers, the curious, French labels, record shops, fans of this prized cult object? See you on Sunday, December 1, 2024! If you share a passion for analog records, if you visualize vinyl as raw gold under a diamond, then this event is for you. Indeed, Paris Loves Vinyl will soon be signing its 13ᵉ edition. If you want to unearth some nuggets, the Espace Reuilly is the place to be on Sunday, December 1, 2024. In a 1,000 m² space, all musical styles rub shoulders.
Cross Plains, WI | At Waxxy Poodle, vinyl records spin back to life: …Eck’s love of music led him to a career in the record industry. He’s done mixing, mastering, pre-production and a lot of vinyl restoration. He’s cut the vinyl masters for big names from Maroon 5 to the Jackson 5. At a time when vinyl was in a death spiral, Eck decided to ride the wave. His basement in his Middleton is home to a high-tech German lathe that cuts grooves on records. Eck says the magic comes in prepping the music, cleaning up every little imperfection to create what he calls a “juicy” pre-master that is very vinyl-friendly. Recently, Eck saw the resurgence of vinyl records coming and took a gamble. He opened Waxxy Poodle record pressing company in Cross Plains. They’ve produced well over 200 titles this year alone. Waxxy Poodle is the first record pressing company to open in Wisconsin in nearly 100 years.
Westport, CT | Westport Library Adds Vinyl Records And Nintendo Switch Games: The library is expanding its media offerings. Books may be the mainstay, but The Westport Library also carries a wide array of media offerings. From DVDs and Blu-rays, to board games, electronics, and other useful equipment, the Library is committed to expanding its diverse media catalog — and now even offers vinyl records and video games! The vinyl collection is on display in the Hub near the Reference desk. Vinyl records can be taken out for 10 days, with an allowance of three records to be taken out at a time. …With 100 records across nine genres — rock, pop, R&B, hip hop, jazz, folk, blues, country, and even local artists, including Verso Records: Volume One, a limited press compilation of emerging Connecticut and tri-state area artists recorded in the Library’s own Verso Studios—the collection offers something for everyone.
Erie, PA | Vinyl record enthusiasts from all over gather for first of two events: Imagine 20 different record stores all in one place at the same time. One out-of-state promoter made a stop in Erie for vinyl enthusiasts. Record Riots took over the conference center of the Quality Inn and Suites on Perry Highway Saturday featuring vendors from all over the region. Those vendors included sellers from out of state in an effort to bring together record collectors looking to add to or start their collection. There was something for everyone with the genres ranging from pop to country and rap to rock. The promoter shared what he enjoys most about coming to Erie. “We’re very happy here and we’re very happy to be in Erie. We love the show and the people are great. I met so many new people today, young people getting into records. It was very inspiring,” said Steve Gritzan, the promotor for Record Riots.
