AI anxiety is driving Gen Z to CDs, DVDs, and Nintendo DS games—I went to see what old tech costs now: AI anxiety has made the internet nostalgic for older tech. So, I went on a mission to find out how much obsolete tech actually costs these days. While I may have scored cheaper gems on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, I decided to scour physical stores instead. Beyond the goal of finding old tech, my day spent combing for retro finds proved to me that younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha are indeed returning to analog—and showed why this might be. The “going analog” trend has gained traction this year among millennials and Gen Zers. From in-person hobbies to using physical alarm clocks or watches, a growing urgency to de-digitalize one’s life is emerging. For the youngest generations, it conveys a nostalgia for a time they never knew—when human connection took precedence over technology.
Blackwood, UK | Popular Blackwood record shop closing after nearly 15 years: Heart of the Valleys Records, the much-loved Blackwood vinyl shop that built a “Gallery of Welsh Greats”, is closing its doors as owner Alun Kent prepares for a well-earned retirement. Alun and his wife Maria have announced a closing-down sale with everything in the shop half price from Saturday, April 11, the first Saturday of the new tax year, running for five weeks. The couple say any remaining stock after the sale will be boxed up and sent to Sullivan’s Auction in Merthyr Tydfil in June, giving them time to clear the unit at 17 The Market Place and hand back the keys by August. The decision brings to an end almost a decade of trading inside Emily’s Indoor Market, followed by around four and a half years in the current Market Place premises. Over that time Heart of the Valleys built a loyal customer base and became a treasure trove for vinyl fans…
Brisbane, AU | Brisbane’s Blackened Records Announces Closure: Located in the heart of Woolloongabba, Blackened Records was opened by owner Simon Denis in July 2023. Brisbane’s leading specialist metal music store, Blackened Records, will be closing its doors indefinitely next Saturday (11 April). Owner Simon Denis confirmed the sad news in a statement on social media today. Located in the heart of Woolloongabba, Blackened Records was opened by Simon Denis in July 2023. He opened the store after experiencing a “mid-life crisis” and leaving his previous job as a high school teacher. The shop quickly developed a reputation for supporting the Brisbane metal scene and selling records by artists from across the globe. Blackened Records was nominated as one of Queensland’s top record stores for The Music’s search for Australia’s Best Record Store last year.
Detroit, MI | Metro Detroit best record stores: Where to buy vinyl near you. Metro Detroit has more than 25 verified open record stores organized across five counties: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston. Wayne County leads with nine locations including Third Man Records in Detroit’s Cass Corridor, Peoples Records near Eastern Market, and Dearborn Music, which has operated since 1956. Oakland County has seven shops within minutes of each other. Macomb County is anchored by Melodies and Memories in Eastpointe, home to 150,000 records. Ann Arbor holds three Washtenaw County shops, and Galaxy Records in Howell serves Livingston County as its only full-time vinyl store. All locations verified March 2026. Metro Detroit record stores are as much a part of this region’s identity as the auto industry and Motown.
Atlanta, GA | Vinyl Fiends previews Record Store Day plans and talks all things music: Vinyl Fiends, the Atlanta record shop discussed an interactive, music-curation segment designed for daytime viewers. The interview focused on building playlists “in three records,” prompting different themes—such as date night, and Atlanta, selecting vinyl picks to match each vibe. The conversation also previewed a second segment option centered on Atlanta’s musical history, highlighting records that helped shape the city’s sound and cultural influence. The appearance also noted Vinyl Fiends’ participation in Record Store Day, when exclusive releases are expected to arrive at participating stores.
Fort Wayne, IN | Fort Wayne Record Show kicks off its first event of 2026 on a high note: …The event, which comes back around to Fort Wayne several times a year, featured over 50,000 items to sift through across 65 different vendors’ tables. Jeremy Bonfiglio, the owner and organizer of the Fort Wayne Record Show, said this event is set apart from what a local record store might have in stock. “We’re fortunate enough here in Fort Wayne to have some great record stores in town. But what we do here as an event is we bring vendors from all over the Midwest out here,” he said. “So sometimes your local record store might not have everything you’re looking for. At an event like this, there’s a little more diversity and just an ability to find some maybe rare items you normally can’t find. Some budget titles as well.”
Springfield, MO | Music lovers, vinyl collectors gather in Springfield for Route 66 Record Show: Music fans saw the return of a Springfield classic Sunday—the Route 66 Record Show. Many gathered at the Relics Event Center on Battlefield Road to celebrate the love of music, vinyl records, and physical media. The event drew in a variety of people from the Ozarks and beyond. Organizers said there was something for everyone, with records spanning a wide variety of music genres – including pop, rock and roll, country, and more. “There’s all levels of collecting. You can find dollar records at flea markets, you can buy new records at Target or Walmart,” said Doug Erb, event organizer. “Just give it a try. It’s a really fun hobby.” Officials say there were over 50 vendor tables set up throughout the venue.
Worcester, CA | The Worcester Record Riot! Over 10,000 vinyl records in one room! At The Auburn Elks, Sun April 19th: The Worcester Record Riot RETURNS! It’s a MASSIVE vinyl record POP-UP sale! Over 40 dealer tables in one room! Great music and family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. Door prizes too! Don’t miss it! A giant record store lands in Auburn MA! Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! LPs and 45s and CDs too. 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. Regular admission starts at 9:30 AM ($5) with early admission at 8 AM ($10). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!
Murfreesboro, TN | World’s Largest Punk Record Collection Finds New Home at MTSU: The world’s largest collection of punk records has officially arrived at Middle Tennessee State University, marking the beginning of a major archival project at the university’s Center for Popular Music that will take quite some time to organize before becoming available to researchers or the general public. The Maximum Rocknroll archive, long associated with the influential underground punk magazine of the same name, has been relocated from California to Murfreesboro and is now housed inside the Center for Popular Music within MTSU’s Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment. The massive archive includes more than 50,000 vinyl records along with business papers and other ephemera documenting punk’s evolution.
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