UK | BPI: UK recorded music market tops £1.5 billion as new generation of British acts make chart impact. The UK recorded music market exceeded £1.5 billion in annual revenue for the first time, according to new BPI figures for 2025. The trade revenue figures coincide with a new generation of artists—including Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Myles Smith, Skye Newman and PinkPantheress—helping to boost the domestic performance of British music. Total revenue, which combines income from streaming, physical music, digital downloads, synchronisation and public performance rose by 5.0% year-on-year to a nominal high of £1.57 billion. This outpaced the annual growth achieved the year before, with the market now growing for 11 consecutive years. The result was also in line with the 4.9% year-on-year volume increase for the UK music market reported by the BPI for 2025.
East Devon, UK | New record shop Funky Seagull opened in Sidmouth, East Devon: A new “funky” record shop has opened in East Devon. The new shop in Sidmouth, named Funky Seagull, opened on Thursday, March 12. Located at 63 High St, Sidmouth, it is next door to The Chattery and opposite the Co-op. Owner Paul, who worked in the music retail industry for nearly 20 years, will be running the shop. Funky Seagull will only be selling new records, spanning all genres from classic albums to indie, pop, hip-hop, dance, punk, post-punk, and metal. The store will also stock a range of pop culture merchandise, including drink bottles, keychains, badges, and mugs. Paul will also be selling Funko Pops, as well as Star Wars and Marvel action figures. A selection of music-related books has also been chosen for the store.
Pinellas Park, FL | Pinellas Park’s Sound Exchange store to close next month: “I am one human being and I cannot do it any more—managing two stores, two staffs, two sets of inventory, two of everything.” Pinellas County is about to lose one of its cornerstone record stores. Sound Exchange, which has had a location in Pinellas Park since 2001, will close at the end of April. The independent retail outlet at 8625 66th Street N., Pinellas Park opened in 2017, replacing an earlier incarnation on Park Boulevard. The anchor store, in Tampa, has been in business since 1987. “…We had a great 2025; the store is not failing in any way,” she insisted. “It’s just, I am one human being and I cannot do it any more—managing two stores, two staffs, two sets of inventory, two of everything. Because I’m working every day. When I’m not at the stores, I’m working from home, and it’s just not sustainable for a single person to do. Or to do well.”
Florence, IT | Move On Records is the perfect example of how cool Italian record stores can be: What makes Move On particularly ambitious is the setting. The store sits just across from the iconic Florence Cathedral, better known as the Duomo. When you love vinyl, discovering a new record store can be as energizing as hearing a great new song. That’s why, whenever you travel, whether for work or pleasure, it’s worth seeing what the local record scene has to offer. Sometimes you uncover something special, like pulling the best prize from a holiday grab bag. That’s exactly what happened on a recent stop in Florence. Move On Records takes a bold, unconventional approach to the idea of a “record store.” On the ground floor sits a classic pub celebrating the rich heritage of Italian beer. …But things really get interesting upstairs.
Woodstock, ON | Bands battle for Record Store Day slot at The Record Works: The winner will be one of eight bands performing at the downtown Woodstock store on April 18. It’s been nearly 20 years since Doug Marsh celebrated his very first Record Store Day. That first year, there was still some confusion over exactly what Record Store Day entailed, but Marsh made sure his store, the Record Works, was part of it. He brought in a few of the limited-edition records that have become the day’s hallmark. There might have been free coffee. …Marsh, though, continues to tinker with the Record Store Day format at his downtown Woodstock location to combat that consumer fatigue. Sure, the limited-edition exclusives will still be on the shelves on Saturday, April 18, but Marsh is making sure his Record Store Day offers more than a chance at a David Bowie reissue.
Tokyo, JP | In a Tokyo record store, I watched my sons become themselves: A visit to Tokyo’s famed Tower Records during a family holiday becomes something more than a stop for music—it turns into a quiet moment of discovery, as a father watches his sons reveal themselves through the records they choose. …After finishing our coffee, we moved up to the sixth floor – where a vast world of vinyl awaited us, particularly my two sons. Visiting the vinyl section had been one of the highlights they were looking forward to during our short stay in Tokyo. I knew they were carrying long lists of LPs. They had not shown them to me—perhaps it was meant to be a surprise. Standing there, however, it was not the sheer extravagance of records that captivated me. What held my attention was watching my sons. They bent over the crates, searching through rows of vinyl as if digging for diamonds—or something even more precious.
Interior design: Stylish and functional ways to display your vinyl collection: Interior designer gives three handy tips on making a record collection an eye-catching part of the home. …Rather than scattering album covers across a wall, take a more considered approach, as a clean, grid-style layout instantly elevates vinyl from casual display to intentional design feature. To create this look at home, use slim wooden or plastic ledges and arrange them in neat rows that allows each record sleeve to sit forward-facing like framed artwork. The symmetry creates order, while the bold album covers add colour and personality against a neutral backdrop. The repetition of evenly spaced shelves keeps the look cohesive and prevents it from feeling cluttered.
Fontana, CA | Victrola and Stage Red launch new vinyl listening experience in Fontana: Stage Red Fontana, Southern California’s premier destination for intimate live performances, and Victrola, the iconic brand at the forefront of vinyl listening for more than 100 years, today announced the debut of The Victrola Record Club at Stage Red, an immersive new lounge designed to bring vinyl culture, community, and artistry together under one roof. Opening inside Fontana’s revitalized historic venue, the Victrola Record Club introduces a modern‑meets‑classic listening environment anchored by Victrola’s signature turntables and custom KLH Model 7 speakers finished in Stage Red’s distinctive red tone. The space offers guests, artists, and music lovers an opportunity to unplug, slow down, and rediscover the ritual of listening through curated vinyl sessions, special events, and an evolving record library.
Bohemia, NY | Vinyl Listening Club: March 23, 7 pm – 8 pm. Relax with other vinyl record enthusiasts at this contemporary listening party. Attend as a listener, select songs from a curated setlist, bring a record of your own to play, and read articles from the VLC Newsletter for the latest in music news, reviews, and special stories. No registration required. For additional information, please call the library or visit our website.
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