AU | Record Store Day 2025 Unveils Australian Release Slate: The Record Store Day 2025 release schedule is a kind of magic — it will make your money disappear. When the 18th edition of RSD rolls around on Saturday, April 12th, vinyl hunters will have a chance to score special editions by such homegrown acts as Pond, The Saints, The Grogans and even that world-beating blue heeler, “Bluey.” More than 200 stores nationwide will throw their doors open for RSD 2025, an annual celebration of independent music retail and the glorious times that can be had in a record shop. …“Have you ever watched the movie Empire Records?,” remarks frontman Nicholas Allbrook. “Have you gazed upon the cover of DJ Shadow’s album Endtroducing? Going to the record store is one of life’s greatest, most wholesome pleasures, and if it too gets gobbled up into our phones along with banking, dating and reading, then we are a very, very poxy species indeed.”
Danville, VA | River District Records curates and celebrates vinyl: Nestled behind a quiet home in Danville lies a hidden gem for music lovers—River District Records. The business, founded by Joseph Richardson, is a labor of love that reflects his passion for vinyl records and his commitment to sharing that passion with others. His is a story of resilience, love, and dedication. Joseph, a Danville native and U.S. Army veteran, has always had a love for music, but it was not until after his time in the service, where he lost some of his hearing due to prolonged exposure to artillery, that he found himself even more drawn to the tactile experience of vinyl. Despite the challenge of his hearing loss, his connection to music remains strong, with the analog sounds of his records offering him a unique and powerful way to engage with the art. His favorite? Gladys Knight, whose soulful voice continues to resonate deeply with him.
UK | That should be a smash hit… John Lewis to sell records in its stores again as department stores seeks to join the vinyl revival: John Lewis has become the latest High Street name to join the vinyl revival, announcing that it will sell records again. The department store, known for its home appliances and furnishings, has teamed up with indie music retailer Rough Trade to offer customers a range of classic albums at its stores and online. Records have made a remarkable comeback since the early 2000s – last year 6.7 million vinyl albums were sold in Britain. And John Lewis’s decision to bring them back into stores was influenced by a 17 per cent increase in sales of turntables and record players over the past five years. Jason Billings-Cray, a buyer at John Lewis, said: ‘It’s clear there is a strong market for the format.
Kingsport, TN | Vinyl’s shocking comeback: Why everyone’s talking about records again. It’s 2025, and there’s a sound revolution taking place you might not have seen coming: Vinyl records are back in a big way. Against all odds, this old-school format has soared in popularity, with global sales jumping over 20% in 2023, online audio distribution platform Bandcamp notes. But what’s driving the masses to spin records in an era when any song is a click away? It’s more than just nostalgia — it’s a cultural movement, a quest for a deeper, more intentional experience that streaming just can’t offer. In today’s world, everything is immediate. Playlists shuffle mindlessly, and the next hit song is a tap away before the first one fades out. Vinyl, on the other hand, demands attention in a different way. It’s not just about the music; it’s the ritual. From selecting a record, gingerly placing the needle, and watching it spin, there’s a physical, almost meditative aspect to it.
KISS commemorates 50th anniversary of ‘Strutter’ with precious metal collectibles: KISS is commemorating the 50th anniversary of their classic track “Strutter” with a set of brand-new precious metal collectibles. The band has teamed with Precious Sound to release both pure gold and gold-plated editions of the song, both of which feature playable grooves. Only five copies of the pure gold edition will be available, made of 8 ounces of .999 (24-karat) pure gold and playable on a manual turntable. The A-side features the KISS logo in Swarovski crystal, with each record’s unique edition number engraved in gold, while the B-side features the original Casablanca single label in gold. It comes in a coffee table display case made with sustainable faux leather and the KISS logo again in Swarovski crystal. It also comes with a book signed by band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, the pen used to sign the book, a laser-engraved metal certificate of authenticity and more. It sells for $50,000.
North Charleston, SC | Stingrays to Host Inaugural Vinyl Night This Friday: This Friday, February 21, the South Carolina Stingrays are set to make history as they host the first-ever Vinyl Night in minor league sports. The team will take on the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at 7:05 pm, and fans in attendance will have the opportunity to celebrate both hockey and music in a truly unique way. The first 1,000 fans through the doors will receive a limited-edition Stingrays vinyl featuring music from two Charleston-based bands, Dangermuffin and Majic Dust. Each vinyl, pressed locally by Monostereo, will include the songs “We Push Mountains” by Dangermuffin and “Ride” by Majic Dust. In addition to the giveaway, local record stores—Record Stop, Monster Music, and Gray Cat Music—have joined in to help promote the event. The idea for Vinyl Night was sparked by Stingrays Vice President of Ticket Sales, Sam Bays, who was inspired by an event held by the Atlanta Braves last season.
First pressing fail, the vinyl pre-order problem: First press vinyl pre-orders are costing collectors more for less in a changing music industry. It has become increasingly common for musicians to release incomplete vinyl versions of their albums to boost first-week sales. Albums like COWBOY CARTER by Beyoncé, Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd, and CHROMAKOPIA by Tyler, the Creator were all missing bonus tracks or anticipated artist features in their first release. In practice, this strategy may raise numbers, but it appears to be a quick move that damages the relationship between artists and their most loyal listeners. “If I can recall, SZA had a vinyl for her LANA album before she even got her official mixes in, which I found perplexing,” said Theo Andreville, a third-year communication studies student. “These labels are just chasing trends, and it’s jarring and annoying because everything feels rushed. They can afford to take their time and create actual cohesive projects; there is no need to rush.”
These glam shots of Gadhouse’s new COSMO Solar turntable are so sexy they might just make you buy one: Stream music, tune into radio, or even record your vinyl records for digital archiving… Gadhouse has officially launched its new COSMO Solar turntable range, introducing fresh colours that blend “nostalgia with innovation” and upgraded sound quality. The new additions to the lineup were first revealed during CES 2025 back in January, and are now available for just £199. Three bold, cosmic-inspired lid colours join the range, including Venus Red, Jupiter Green, and Neptune Blue. The COSMO Lucid White also makes a return, known for its plain, transparent design to match any style. These turntables certainly channel the retro-futurism aesthetic of the Y2K era, when countless gadgets were given a clear tech makeover, revealing the inner mechanisms of game consoles, computers, and more—while still retaining playful colours.
Madonna Announces Bedtime Stories Re-Release With Vinyl Edition: The Queen of Pop teases the return of her 1994 classic with a new reissue. Madonna is bringing back one of her most beloved albums. The pop icon has officially announced the upcoming re-release of her 1994 record Bedtime Stories, though an exact release date has yet to be confirmed. Alongside the reissue, the album will also be available on vinyl, making it a must-have for collectors and longtime fans. The announcement arrived via social media on February 17, with Madonna sharing a sultry teaser featuring the album’s title track, Bedtime Story. In the clip, she appears in pink lingerie, evoking the sensual aesthetic of the era. Originally released as her sixth studio album, Bedtime Stories marked a stylistic shift for Madonna.
Follow The Vinyl District on Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE, Threads HERE, Bluesky HERE, and X/Twitter HERE.
