Hertfordshire, UK | Support Men’s Mental Health… With Vinyl Records! Did you know that ‘For Men To Talk’ has its very own stall at Hitchin Market in Hertfordshire? We’re proud to be part of one of the largest outdoor markets in the region, set by the river in the heart of our beautiful town. Right now, we’re asking for your help. We’re looking for any unwanted vinyl records you may have lying around at home. Whether it’s an old classic, a forgotten favourite, or something you just don’t play anymore, we’d love to take it off your hands. Why? Because vinyl is back! Over the last few years, vinyl records have made a huge comeback. Music lovers are enjoying the warm sound, large album artwork, and the feeling of nostalgia that comes with putting a record on. Sales of vinyl in the UK are at their highest since the 1990s, with many people building collections again. Young and old alike are appreciating the magic of music on vinyl.
Leigh-on-Sea, UK | Leigh Broadway Fives Records set to shut—readers react: A much-loved fixture of Leigh’s Broadway will soon play its final track, as Fives Records prepares to close its doors after nearly half a century in business. The independent record shop, which first opened in 1977, has long been a treasure trove for music lovers and vinyl collectors, known for its personal service, rare finds, and a deep love of music shared by owners Sandra Bennett and her father Peter Driscoll. But after 47 years serving generations of customers, the owners have made the difficult decision to close the store for good. They cite rising rent, increased production costs, and the long-term decline in vinyl sales as factors that have made it increasingly difficult to stay afloat. The announcement has prompted an outpouring of sadness and nostalgia from the community, with Echo readers sharing their memories of the iconic store and what it meant to them.
Greenwich, CT | Round Hill Music Co. To Open Doors in Greenwich this May: Round Hill Music Co., located on Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich, CT, is set for their grand opening in May. The new music store brings together high-end guitars, vinyl records, apparel and lifestyle goods for musicians, collectors and fans of all ages. Created as a personal passion project by local resident, musician and music industry executive Josh Gruss, Round Hill Music Co. aims to bring design, craftsmanship and culture together in a unique and inviting space for those who enjoy music. The store is set in a location just two minutes away from the Greenwich train station at the heart of the town. “Opening this store is a great way for me to connect with the community and offer an experience that I’m strongly connected to, while bringing back something that Greenwich Ave has been missing for a long time—a music store,” Gruss said.
Brooklyn, NY | 5 Brooklyn record stores hiding in plain sight: Like your favorite bar, restaurant, or after-hours spot, some of the best record stores in Brooklyn might just miss you at first glance. If you’ve followed these pages over the years, you already know Record Store Day is every damn day, and Brooklyn’s selection of record shops is so extensive it is effectively unmatched. But some of those excavation sites require a bit more digging than others to unearth, which is a loving labor, honestly, not entirely unlike the art of crate-crashing itself. So for this year’s run at the stacks, we’re aiding your pursuit of those gorgeous, glossy acetates by pointing you toward some of the spots keeping low profiles and well-stocked inventory. Some present as barbershops, natural wine bars, salons, or high-end apartments. But all are easily amongst the best record shops currently in Brooklyn—the type you’d be perfectly justified to gatekeep protect from unseasoned selectors.
Denver, CO | Records on Main in Littleton Opening April 26: Metro Denver’s latest record store has a life-and-death backstory that postponed its opening. Marshall Chernin’s passion project is still alive, and so is he. But it wasn’t until recent days that these statements became facts. The enterprise at the center of Chernin’s fantasies is Records on Main, a vinyl haven located at 2430 West Main Street in downtown Littleton. But during the run-up to its scheduled introduction on April 13, he suffered a horrific motorcycle accident that could easily have killed him. And while he survived the crash, he faces many, many weeks of recovery—an unavoidable necessity that put the business’s very existence at risk. Fortunately, that scenario will come to pass, although the opening was postponed until Saturday, April 26.
Tulsa, OK | Tulsa’s Studio Records Helps Fill Many A Vinyl Fanatic’s Collection: …The one-stop-shop record palace strikes a delicate balance between classic records and new releases and offers turntable equipment. Its vast selection showcases its dedication to providing visitors with anything they can put on their wishlist. Tulsa has always been an underrated music city, and Studio Records is helping lead the charge in a new movement that has taken over the city. Thanks to the dedicated eye of owner Mike Nobles, Studio Records has become a home to traveling and local music fanatics looking to fill out their vinyl collection. Glide had the pleasure of asking Nobles a few questions about how Studio Records came to be, the ever-evolving Tulsa arts scene, and his process of keeping his shelves stocked. You can read our full conversation below.
Clare, IE | Ireland’s only vinyl pressing plant is now open for business: Based in County Kildare, Anthem Vinyl will offer a full-range of press options to both independent and major labels. Anthem Vinyl, Ireland’s only vinyl pressing plant, has now started production. Kitted out with two record presses, Anthem Vinyl will cater to both independent and major labels — offering classic black vinyl, alongside colour and splatter presses. Located in Clare, County Kildare, the plant was established by Brian Kenny and Chris Keena, both formerly of Dublin Vinyl—Ireland’s last pressing plant, which shut down operations last year. Speaking to The Journal, Keena said: “We’re pressing records this month across two pressing machines. Each shift we’ll be able to produce almost a thousand records.”
Chapel Hill, NC | 36th bi-annual CD and record show unites collectors and audiophiles: On Sunday, the Carrboro Century Center hosted the 36th Bi-Annual CD and Record show. From 70-year-old audiophiles to teenagers with suitcase record players, the show united the community to indulge in the art of collecting physical music. The show was open from 12-6 p.m. Sellers came to Carrboro Century Center as early as 9 a.m. to set up their vast collections. This show drew a much younger crowd than last weekend’s show in Raleigh with many shoppers being UNC students and Carrboro community members who discovered the show from signs on the sidewalk. The event hit its peak around 1 p.m. with people filling up the room to enjoy their Sunday afternoon shopping and listening to music. There were about 15 sellers with collections spanning anywhere from one to five tables which often overflowed onto the floor.
Philadelphia, PA | Vinyl Block Party Prepares to Spin the Tunes in Philly: Vinyl lovers, you’re in for a treat. The much-anticipated South Street Vinyl Block Party is scheduled to return to Philadelphia on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This outdoor event will be held between Fifth and Sixth streets along South Street. Take it from those in the know: If you want to claim the good stuff, you’ll want to arrive as soon as vendors start setting up, around 9 a.m. According to the South Philly Review, more than 40 vendors are expected to offer approximately 15,000 vinyl records, LPs, CDs, and 45s. You’ll find dozens of diverse music genres, including blues, classical, country, funk, hip-hop, jazz, punk, and rock.
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