Denver, CO | Despite rising costs and competition, Denver record stores are spinning gold from new customers: By any standard, Greg Daniels is a Denver music veteran. He’s been playing in bands since the mid-1990s, and has lately been reissuing albums from his past groups Glass Hits and Vaux on limited cassette runs, then selling them at his Drop To Pop Records and Curio, at 2185 N. Broadway in downtown Denver. Despite its 88-square-foot footprint—and the fact that it’s only open Thursdays through Saturdays—he sees a steady stream of tourists, vinyl collectors and scenesters digging through his curated collection of vintage punk, indie rock, jazz and pop LPs. As the only record store in the commercial core of downtown, he also sees music legends such as Billy Corgan (of Smashing Pumpkins) pop in for a look, thanks to online searches that balance out his lack of pedestrian traffic.
Miami, FL | Sweat Records Celebrates 20 Years of Music, Community, and Resilience: Sweat Records, Miami’s beloved independent record store, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Sweat Records, Miami’s independent record store staple, is gearing up for a monumental milestone—its 20th anniversary. Founded in 2005 by Lolo Reskin, Sweat has not only weathered the ups and downs of Miami’s volatile cultural and real-estate landscape but has also emerged as a key player in shaping the city’s music scene. To commemorate the occasion, Sweat is hosting a special 20th-anniversary event on Saturday, March 15, at ZeyZey, featuring an impressive lineup. Headlining the night is Grammy winner Adrian Quesada of Black Pumas performing some songs from his albums Boleros Psicodélicos and Jaguar Sound.
Manchester, UK | New Northern Quarter venue will double up as bar, book shop and record store: A brand-new music-led bar and venue is set to open in Manchester’s Northern Quarter this spring. renae, which will open on Thomas Street, is described as a ‘multi-concept venue set to redefine community spaces.’ The project is a shared vision of two long-time friends who first met on a dance floor back in 2010. Opening in stages, renae begins its journey with the launch of its ground-floor neighbourhood music-led bar on Fri 28 Mar. By day, the ‘laid-back yet stylish space’ will operate as a curated record and book shop, with an intimate bar serving craft beers, natural wines, and cocktails at ‘accessible prices’ late on into the evening. DJ and digger Patrick Ryder from Manchester collective Talking Drums, formerly of Piccadilly Records, will be stocking the finest new releases from global boutique labels alongside a second-hand selection of crowd-pleasing classics, rarities and future favourites.
Richmond, VA | Coffee-and-records shop Le Cache Dulcet opening in Arts District: A former music industry pro relocating from the West Coast is turning his love of coffee and vinyl records into a new business venture in Richmond. Patrick Weaver planned to open Le Cache Dulcet at 109 E. Broad St. on Friday. The coffee-and-records combo was inspired by Weaver’s years living in Los Angeles, where he rekindled a passion for vinyl and developed an interest in coffee over professional and social meetups in the city’s cafés. “In 2017, I started to pay attention to what I was drinking, picking up the terminology and what I liked to drink at these cafés. It was around that time I got back into collecting records…”
Tokyo, JP | Tokyo’s Manhattan Records expands to Seoul with a new vinyl hub: Make-1 & Kyper share on the significance of the store for the city’s growing vinyl culture on opening night. Manhattan Records, the iconic Shibuya-born vinyl institution, has opened a new branch in Hongdae, Seoul, on February 22. Known as a hub for music, dance, and nightlife—Seoul’s gathering place for the next-generation K-culture audiences—Hongdae is at the centre of the city’s growing interest in analogue sound. The opening night was soundtracked by sets from MarT, PoLoGod., AVANTGARDE VAK, and PALOALTO. Brought to Seoul by two influential figures in the local scene Lee Jin-bok aka Make-1 and Ryu Chaeman aka Kyper, Manhattan Records Seoul marks the collaboration of two music scene veterans in bringing their childhood haven to the city. Jin-bok is a member of 360Sounds and part of street clothing brands Burumabul House and Original Cut.
Erskineville, AU | Man Quits His Accounting Job for Vinyl and Now Owns More Than 200,000 Records: People laughed when this accountant quit his job for vinyl records but look at him now. Trading spreadsheets for vinyl records might sound risky, but for Jon Ordon, it was the best career move ever. Thirty years later, his 200,000-record inventory and nationwide sales operation prove his gut instinct was right all along. Jon’s love affair with music began in 1980. At 12 years old, he purchased David Bowie’s “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)” album, which had gone to number one in Australia that year. “From an early age, let’s say when I was 12, I started buying cassette tapes, which, um, led to LPs,” Jon recalled. “I just love that beautiful analog sound, that warm sound. It sends shivers up your arm” This emotional connection to vinyl’s distinctive quality has remained central to his life. Jon describes how records on a quality system create an immersive experience, unlike any other format.
Wax Heads is a Game in Which You Play as a Record Store Clerk, Coming to Xbox in 2026: Curve Games has announced that Wax Heads, a “handcrafted narrative sim” in which you play as a passionate record store clerk, will be coming to Xbox next year. Developed by indie studio Patattie Games, Wax Heads will see you working at Repeater Records, recommending the perfect vinyl choices for each eccentric customer who comes in to browse. Comprising “charming” puzzles and mini-games, as well as “punchy” dialogue, a comic-book-inspired art style, and a catchy soundtrack, Wax Heads will be coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC in summer 2026.
Dublin, IE | Whiskey & vinyl listening night for Love Tempo next month: The event takes place the week of International Women’s Day, and is presented by Women in Irish Whiskey. The whiskey tasting experience takes place in Love Tempo on Thomas Street on March 6th from 6:30pm to 8pm and features three Irish whiskeys paired with three sides of vinyl music handpicked to match the drinks. “Brought to you by the Women in Irish Whiskey team, this is a truly sensorial experience in the spectacular Love Tempo, featuring Cormac Cashman on the decks, three handpicked record sides, each perfectly paired with a whiskey selection from Teeling Whiskey, Roe & Co. and Pearse Lyons. This event is for everyone—you will be greeted with a delicious welcome cocktail, before being guided through a tasting and listening experience. Bring a date or a mate…”
Could Trump’s Tariffs Reshape the Vinyl Music Industry? In a surprising move, the US President, Donald Trump has announced a 150% tariff on goods from BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—accusing them of “trying to destroy the dollar.- Thursday, 20th February 2025. “While the political and economic implications of this decision are vast, one unexpected sector caught in the crossfire is the vinyl music industry. For music enthusiasts and collectors, vinyl records are more than just a format—they’re a cultural love-in, a tangible connection to the art of music. But as global trade tensions escalate, the ripple effects of these tariffs could reverberate through the vinyl market, impacting everyone from independent record stores to international buyers and sellers. For example, if the US dollar strengthens as a result of these policies. Purchases from American sellers could become more expensive for international buyers, potentially reducing cross-border trade.
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