Gen Z is the “driving force” of vinyl’s current popularity, survey finds: Gen Z’s enthusiasm for vinyl has pushed the format from its longtime “revival” status into the successfully “revived” category, according to a new survey by the Vinyl Alliance calling the generation the “driving force” in vinyl’s popularity. The global vinyl industry nonprofit collective has polled more than 2,500 music fans about their physical media habits to find that 76% of 18-to-24-year-olds reported buying a vinyl record at least once per month, with 80% owning a record player—shutting down the unsubstantiated chatter than younger vinyl buyers were buying records to possess only as a collectible. Half of Gen Z respondents said they enjoyed listening to vinyl because “it provides a break from digital life”, with a close 49% of Millennials agreeing, followed by just 34% of Gen X music fans. The survey also reports that the in-person shopping experience at record stores is still highly valued, with 84% of Gen Z vinyl buyers doing so and 57% saying it’s their preferred shopping method.
If You Really Want To Support Your Favorite Artists—Buy Their Records: …There are still plenty of reasons why you should be purchasing physical copies of your favorite movies, shows and albums despite what major corporations such as Netflix and Spotify might say. The first and most important one would simply be that purchasing physical media, especially while discussing music, is the best way to support your favorite artists/creators. It’s a poorly kept secret that Spotify and Apple Music pay artists next to nothing per stream. It’s theorized that artists get approximately $0.003-0.005 per stream on Spotify, while Apple pays slightly better at $.01 per stream. I don’t think that I have to explain how that’s not sustainable to make a living, especially for indie artists.
Jenkintown, PA | Smelly’s Vinyl Vibes, a new record shop, is coming soon to Jenkintown: Greg Wagner, 61, of Jenkintown, is in the early stages of launching a new record shop in Jenkintown called Smelly’s Vinyl Vibes. A Mt. Airy native, Wagner has lived in the borough for 26 years and was a resident of Glenside for six years prior. He purchased 744 Yorkway Place (across the alley from The Keep Easy) about a decade ago and currently works out of the first-floor office as a technology salesman for Web Age Solutions. Smelly’s Vinyl Vibes will gradually take over the office space until it’s ready to open, which Wagner said could be sometime in June. The project was born out of Wagner’s forthcoming retirements plans. “I needed something to keep me busy, so I thought of opening a record store,” he said.
Delhi, IN | Why Delhi is falling for vinyl again: As digital platforms dominate music consumption, Delhi’s vinyl collectors and curators are reviving analogue listening through records and community sessions. TMS examines how intentional listening is reshaping the city’s music culture. In an age where music lives inside phones, playlists, and algorithms, vinyl records offer a different kind of warmth—listening that demands patience and presence, as melodies unfold through faint crackles and soft pops. In Delhi, this analogue charm is finding new listeners, with vinyl parties, record stores, and a growing community of enthusiasts. Samarth Kotru, co-founder of Delhi Record Store (DRS), says vinyl culture has always existed in the city, but has gained fresh momentum over the past year, especially among listeners aged 20 to 35. According to him, younger listeners are driving the trend, but older collectors remain a crucial part of the ecosystem.
Newport, UK | Newport’s vinyl shops remembered as lost stores recalled: Readers have shared fond memories of vinyl, concert tickets, and teenage Saturdays spent in record shops. Dozens of people responded to a Newport nostalgia feature about the city’s once-thriving record stores, recalling everything from DJ discounts and Allman Brothers recommendations to Saturday afternoons spent poring over posters in dimly lit shops. Even as vinyl enjoys a comeback, with shops like Diverse Vinyl on Charles Street and Kriminal Records in Newport Arcade still open today, Newport’s long-standing reputation as the “heartbeat of the vinyl music scene” remains rooted in the memories of those who grew up browsing its record racks, from Roxcene Records to Spillers and beyond.
Los Angeles, CA | Ally O’Neil: The 24-year-old vinyl collector is the first resident D.J. at Living Room, a new Los Angeles members’ club that has welcomed guest performers from Beck to Fred Armisen. More often than not, Ally O’Neil can be found surrounded by a few thousand records. “Music is the reason I wake up every day,” she says. “Other than my friends and family, there’s nothing [else] I really care about.” Her ever growing personal archive is dominated by jazz and blues, soul and funk, gospel and 80s hits—but her passion goes beyond collecting. …For O’Neil, it all began at age 12, with a Hank Williams record she picked up from a local store in her hometown of Bend, Oregon, using her babysitting money. “I got the bug,” she says. “I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up, so music was my escape and my records were my friends.”
Nashville, TN | The Rise of Nashville’s Vinyl Lounges: 3 to Visit (+1 Coming Soon!). From honky-tonks to packed patios and cocktail bars buzzing well past midnight, Nashville knows how to make a little noise. But lately, a quieter (and arguably cooler) trend is emerging: vinyl record listening lounges. Refreshingly intimate, these spots are quickly becoming the go-to for low-key date nights, catch-up sessions with friends, and anyone craving a more thoughtful way to enjoy music. Here are three Nashville spots leading the charge, plus one coming soon.
Frederick, MD | The Frederick Record Riot! Over 15,000 LPs in one room. On the Frederick Fairgrounds, Sat Feb 21st. The Frederick Record RIot! It’s a WONDERFUL vinyl record POP-UP sale on the Frederick Fairgrounds. Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and amazing family fun. LPs & CDs of all genres! The Frederick Record Riot is vinyl record heaven! Think of a GIANT music flea market! Over 15,000 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). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
Audio-Technica presents the white model AT-LP120XBT-USB turntable: The Japanese brand continues to focus on audio, but adds an elegant, completely white edition. Audio-Technica is a leading brand in sound equipment. With the growing popularity of vinyl records, turntables, record players, and other audio equipment are in greater demand than ever, and the Japanese brand continues to invest heavily in this business model, presenting the new edition of its AT-LP120XBT-USB turntable. This new model in white finish will be available exclusively through the official Audio-Technica website, expanding the design options for one of the brand’s most popular direct-drive turntables. The new colour combination brings a clean, modern aesthetic to a model renowned for its performance, versatility, and professional-inspired features.
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