US | US Reaches 100 Million Paid Music-Streaming Subscribers for the First Time, Vinyl Sales Hit $1.4 Billion: RIAA 2024 Year-End Report. For the first time, paid streaming subscriptions hit the 100 million mark in the U.S. last year, while vinyl sales continued their nearly two-decade resurgence with $1.4 billion in sales, according to Recording Industry Association of America’s annual recorded-music revenue report. Despite that milestone, streaming growth continues to slow — it was up just 4 million for the year, continuing a slowing trend over the past five years. Streaming numbers grew by nearly 9 million between 2020 and 2021. This trend has led music companies to seek other sources of growth, including such tactics as Universal’s “Streaming 2.0” and a focus on “superfans.” The U.S. recorded music business is now valued at $17.7 billion retail and $11.3 billion wholesale, according to the report, adding adding half a billion dollars in revenue since last year.
Boulder, CO | New Music Venue and Studio Opens in Boulder With Intimate Events: Stone Cottage Studios is the city’s latest music venue that will host intimate concerts, vinyl listening events and so much more. Jamie and Davis Maynard know how to throw a house show. But what the father-son duo is doing at the new Stone Cottage Studios space along Boulder’s Pearl Street is much more than hosting typical DIY gigs in a room full of well-worn furniture and a keg in the corner. Instead, the Maynards offer a highly curated listening experience that welcomes local and touring acts alike for an intimate evening of live music, complete with professional audio and videography. While seats are limited to forty people, all the sessions are livestreamed, too. Between the wall of vintage vinyl, the black-and-white photos of legendary musicians and the antique audio equipment throughout the venue, it’s easy to see that Stone Cottage could put on the most cozy concert you’ll ever experience.
Adelaide, AU | Yorke Peninsula’s new hidden gem sells vinyl records and books: Tucked away in Stansbury on the Yorke Peninsula and only open on select days, Peninsula Records and Books offers an eclectic mix of Australian authors and global vinyl. “We just wanted to provide a place where people could come and buy a brand-new or second-hand book or a record, because there wasn’t really anything like that in the area,” owner Kate explains. The idea grew from the online store, which was already gaining traction for Aussie authors before the couple decided to open a physical location. “We had it online for a while, and it was doing quite well. Then we thought, why don’t we open it up down in Stansbury since we had the space?” says Kate. Less a shop and more a passion project where visitors can come in and rummage through the collection that runs from a small garage space—like a friend’s collection, but one that focuses exclusively on Australian authors.
Fort Myers, FL | Beach Records hosts benefit concert for mother with thyroid cancer: Beach Records hosted a benefit concert for the mother of a 5-year-old battling thyroid cancer in Fort Myers on Friday night. The event, titled “Dude Where’s my Thyroid?” featured five local bands and proceeds from the event went to Emily Meacham, a mother who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in January. Last October, her doctor noticed a lump on her neck. After more appointments, her doctor discovered that there was a large cancerous tumor on her thyroid. Due to the size and placement of the tumor, doctors had to act fast, and on Feb. 14, Emily Meacham had a total thyroidectomy and had one of her neck muscles removed. One month removed from surgery, Meacham said that she was not prepared for how the cancer diagnosis would affect her life. “My life whole life switched to a matter of 180. I wasn’t expecting any of this,” Meacham said.
Monmouth, UK | “Music fans come from all over the world to visit Monmouth”—rapper and broadcaster use start-up loan to open vinyl records store: A rapper from a British comedy hip hop group and a novelist and broadcaster are using a start-up loan from the Development Bank of Wales to open a records store. Goldie Lookin’ Chain rapper Graham Taylor and novelist and broadcaster Gary Raymond have benefited from the loan to share their love of vinyl records in Monmouth with the opening of Grinning Soul Records. It is Monmouth’s only vinyl record shop and can be found at White Swan Court on Priory Street. The Development Bank micro loan has been used to part-fund the kit-out of the new shop and purchase stock. Graham Taylor and BBC presenter and author Gary Raymond have been close friends since their school days in Newport. They had a childhood ambition to open a record shop.
UK | New recycling scheme for unplayable vinyl and CD launched—with Rough Trade and other UK stores on board: The plastic vinyl records and CDs are made from can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Key Production Group has rolled out a recycling scheme for unplayable vinyl and CDs backed by UK indie record shops. First launched back in 2020, the scheme aimed to save damaged CDs and vinyls from landfills and repurpose them, but the pandemic stunted its progress. Now, on World Recycling Day (March 18), it’s been kickstarted once again. Indie record shops like Rough Trade and Sister Ray will be trialling the service, which accepts all kinds of vinyl records, CDs, as well as their packaging—regardless of size or condition—and will responsibly recycle them. Vinyl records and CDs are made from different types of plastic—vinyl from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and CDs polycarbonate—both of which can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills.
Batavia, NY | The Batavia Record Riot! Over 10,000 LPs in one room. At the Batavia Downs Casino, Sunday March 23rd. BIG VINYL RECORD SALE! The Batavia Record Riot! Sun March 23rd! It’s a GIANT vinyl record POP-UP sale at the Batavia Downs Casino ballroom. Over 10,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music too! The Batavia Record Riot is vinyl record heaven! Think of a GIANT music flea market in the ballroom of Batavia Downs Casino! Over 10,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and amazing family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. DOOR PRIZES TOO! Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Plus a FIVE DOLLAR CASINO credit to all entrants over 18 years of age. Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
York, UK | Popular record fair set for return to York: A popular record fair is returning to York next month – with thousands of records available to customers under one roof. York Record Fair is now one of the UKs biggest record fairs returns to York Racecourse on Saturday, April 5. Taking place inside the Knavesmire Stand from 10am to 5pm, it’s the sixth such fair at the venue. Fair organiser, John Cox, said: “More than 50 stellar sellers from far and wide with an array of quality records on display. “There’s a superb selection of collectable and rare LPs and singles of all genres, and lots of bargains. “In addition to 150 tables of vinyl records, there will be a great choice of CDs, music-related books, magazines, and ephemera.
TX | Vinyl Record Show of Dallas, TX/Ft.Worth, TX: Vinyl Record Show of Dallas/ Ft.Worth April 5th! Find the Music You Love and the Memories It Holds at the Vinyl Record Show of Dallas/ Ft.Worth! What Awaits You: Vinyl LP Records: Tens of thousands, from budget-friendly $1.00 LPs to rare collectibles worth hundreds of dollars. There’s something for every music lover. More Treasures: Dig through a variety of music memorabilia, 45’s, CDs, T-shirts, posters, cassettes, and even a few 78’s. Exciting Door Prizes: Every attendee has a chance to win a free record, a cool T-shirt, or even tickets to future shows! Join us for your shot at some fantastic goodies.
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