Taylor Swift Bows With 4 Million Album Units as ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ Smashes Records in Its No. 1 Debut: It was already established, before the chart week was even over, that Taylor Swift‘s “The Life of a Showgirl” would not just bow at No. 1 but set a record for the highest number of equivalent album units in a single week. So the only question was how high it would go when figures were tallied up for all seven days. Now the answer is in. “Showgirl” officially bowed with 4.002 million equivalent album units million units for its first week, in Luminate data reported by Billboard. That’s a figure that breaks the previous record for most units in a week by more than a half-million. Swift also set another chart record just by the album’s debut at No. 1.
How big a deal are Taylor Swift’s vinyl sales, really? This week, the sales for Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl finally hit the Billboard charts, and the album is — would you just believe it? — a huge success. Released Oct. 3, Swift’s 12th studio LP has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart, with all 12 of its songs landing in the Hot 100 singles chart and filling the entire Top 10. According to the industry data firm Luminate, it sold 4.002 million “equivalent album units” — the most an album has ever sold in its first week since Luminate began electronically collecting data in 1991. But the most surprising takeaway from Showgirl’s early numbers? How many of those sales were good old-fashioned vinyl.
Columbus, GA | Blue Canary Records moves to new locale in Columbus: Brian Cook, owner of Columbus’s first record store, wants to put rumors about why his store relocated to rest. “There’s a lot of different ideas about why I might have moved, but really it comes down to money,” Cook said. Blue Canary Records, formerly located at 1250 Broadway, has recently relocated from its standalone brick-and-mortar space. The shop is now located just 5 minutes away, inside The Vibe on 6th, at 1301 6th Ave. Cook finalized the move in early October. The transition process only took two days. “I think a lot of people were shocked that I moved, maybe a little surprised, or there was a bit of disappointment,” Cook said. “Sometimes, we have to roll with change. This was a positive change.”
Nashville, TN | Ernest Tubb Record Shop Reopens In Downtown Nashville, Complete With Two Bars & A Rooftop Honky Tonk: …Back in 2022, the legendary record shop announced that it would be closing its doors after both the building and the business would be sold to new owners. But there was immediate outcry from country music fans upset about the demise of yet another iconic piece of country music history, and the nephew of Ernest Tubb launched a petition to save the 72-year old record shop. …Well earlier this year, it was confirmed that the record shop would indeed reopening soon, with the new project being overseen by Tusk Brothers, a management company owned by brothers Jamie and Bryan Kenney, as well as Toshinsky and Dale Tubb. And this week, the Ernest Tubb Record Shop finally reopened its doors—complete with the original sign, fully restored in all its glory, hanging back in front of the historic building.
Bristol, UK | Bristol café near Gloucester Road opens exciting new record shop—here’s what you need to know. Discover the exciting new record shop and café that has just opened near Gloucester Road, offering a range of vinyl records, prints, and more. Hot Wax Bristol Records & Things Shop opened its premises inside of the Old Drumbank Studios on Sommerville Road over the weekend (October 11). To celebrate its opening, Hot Wax hosted a 12 hour day of record digging, mingling, coffees and, from 4pm to 10pm, DJ sets, beers, pizza and dancing. The store is being set up and run by Nathan Worm of Worm Disco Club and offers an array of vinyl records, vibrant art prints, t-shirts, hats and winterwear, as well as top quality essential DJ & Vinyl accessories.
Indianapolis, IN | Indy CD & Vinyl to host grand reopening, unveil new live music venue: Indy CD & Vinyl is hosting its grand reopening this weekend—and the opening of a new live music venue, The 808, right next door. The expansion came following a local tragedy and aims to provide a space for all ages to enjoy live music and community events, says Andy Skinner, co-owner of Indy CD & Vinyl. In March 2024, six people were shot after a fight broke out at the now-defunct Landsharks nightclub at 808 Broad Ripple Ave., next door to Indy CD & Vinyl. One of the victims, 36-year-old Timothy Brown Jr., died of his injuries. The suspected shooter, Nicholas Fulk, is set to go on trial in January. After the shooting, Landsharks lost its liquor license and the business closed, leaving an empty business space next door to Indy CD & Vinyl. Skinner says it was his wife, Annie, who had the idea to expand.
Boston, MA | Massachusetts record stores, music fans embrace rise of record variants—but they come at a cost. In an era where streaming dominates, vinyl has taken on a new life. From multi-colored vinyl pressings to alternate covers and expanded tracklists, artists and labels are now leaning into collector culture as a deliberate sales strategy. Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” released with 34 different versions — including 27 physical iterations and seven digital. The result was a record-breaking 3.5 million units sold in just a week, surpassing Adele’s album “25.” “[Variants] are part of the release and marketing strategy,” said Coty Smith, owner of GOOD TASTE Records in Boston’s North End. “People want the standard black, but they also want the limited color or limited cover version.” While some fans view deluxe editions as a way to celebrate their favorite artists, others see them as a cash grab.
Spamalot Will Be Released on Vinyl for 1st Time for 20th Anniversary: The record will include the never-before-released track “The Cow Song.” To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python’s Spamalot, Decca Broadway will release the first-ever vinyl of the original Grammy award-winning Broadway cast recording. The album, available on November 11, features the never-before-released track “The Cow Song,” only heard during Spamalot’s out-of-town previews. The anniversary-edition vinyl is pressed on commemorative “Holy Grail Gold” double vinyl and contains a 20-page booklet filled with essays, rare photos, full lyrics, and more. The album, with songs by Eric Idle (music and lyrics) and John Du Prez (music), features original Broadway cast members Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Hank Azaria, and Sara Ramirez.
Swanage, UK | Vinyl revival as Swanage Record Club celebrates first year: With a passion for music and a love of vinyl records, a new club in Swanage, Dorset, has been steadily growing since it was formed a year ago. Swanage Record Club was set up at The Mowlem on Shore Road in November 2024 by Keith Nuttall, who at the time had recently moved to the town and was keen to get involved in the local community. Like a book club, but for records, the group meets monthly, on a Thursday in the Mowlem Showbar. Each session, which is free to attend, is curated by a volunteer, who chooses a theme for the evening’s music. …Keith Nuttall said: “It’s effectively a social club for music fans, who chat informally about music, bands, record collecting, gigs, etc. without fear of boring our friends and family rigid. Of course, we chat about other things too!
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