Victoria, AU | New Report Outlines The Full Depth Of Victoria’s Vinyl Ecosystem: “Victoria’s direct-to-consumer vinyl economy exists because artists and labels choose to build it, one pressing run at a time,” the report notes. Six months after an in-depth report named Melbourne the vinyl capital of the world, the second part of these findings has been released, showing the full depth of Victoria’s vinyl ecosystem. It was back in December that For The Record was released, placing the state’s vinyl ecosystem under the microscope, and looking at figures relating to how vinyl goes from the pressing plant to the retail shelf. The results showed that Melbourne’s 5.9 record stores per 100,000 residents exceeded Tokyo (2.3), London (4.9), and Berlin (2.9), and that Victoria’s store count grew 18% since 2023, while national vinyl sales increased 5.6% to $44.5 million.
Record Labels Are Pressing New Vinyl From Old Records and Blind Tests Already Exposed What the Marketing Won’t Admit: The defect only surfaces on certain genres, and your favorites might be one of them. When seven expert listeners at Abbey Road Studios evaluated recycled vinyl pressings in a blind test, the 100% recycled variant finished last. Panelists reported more crackle, more clicks, more background noise. And the defects weren’t evenly distributed across the test record. Side A, pressed with acoustic post-rock spanning a wide dynamic range and quiet passages, exposed pressing artifacts that Side B’s louder, compressed rock concealed. Recycled vinyl might be inaudible on a pop album mastered to hit hard. On a record that breathes, the surface noise breathes with it.
Bang & Olufsen revives vintage turntable in exclusive Beosystem 3000C release: Bang & Olufsen has introduced a new limited-edition audio package that blends one of its classic turntable designs with modern wireless speaker technology, creating a system aimed at vinyl enthusiasts who want contemporary streaming features alongside analogue playback. Called the Beosystem 3000c Dune Grey Edition, the setup combines a restored Beogram 3000 Series turntable with a pair of Beolab 8 speakers. The launch forms part of Bang & Olufsen’s ongoing Recreated Classics programme, which focuses on bringing historic products back to life through refurbishment and integration with current-generation technologies. The centrepiece of the package is an original Beogram 3000 turntable from the mid-1980s.
Two Japanese Hi-Fi Icons Just Introduced a Stunning Pair of Audiophile Headphones: The brands say the headphones will “captivate guitar enthusiasts and enjoyers of high-quality, portable audio.” Audio-Technica introduced the ATH-WP900 back in 2020. The beautifully designed, over-ear headphones are a joint collaboration with Fujigen, the iconic Japanese guitar brand, as their earcups are made of the same maple hardwood that it exclusively uses to build its guitars. Audio-Technica still currently sells the ATH-WP900 for $699. Fast forward to the present, and the two Japanese audio makers are collaborating again on a special edition version of those same headphones. The all-new ATH-WP900SE has a new look and promises improved sound (as well as a significantly increased price).
I ditched Spotify and bought a cheap cassette Walkman—one month on I’ve fallen back in love with music and my tape stash is overtaking my vinyl collection: Time to start another physical music collection. Before the age where the best music streaming services redefined our listening habits, I’ve been a collector of physical media. Throughout my childhood the living room cabinets and car glove box were packed with an endless roster of CDs which is where my love for music began, and I started vinyl collecting at the turn of my 17th birthday. But as far as cassette tapes go, I’ve never touched them until the age of 26, when I got my hands on the Miko cassette player by Gadhouse. Blending the classic analog music player with modern connectivity features, the Miko cassette player shows off the best of what 1980s Japanese audio tech was all about.
Tim Burgess to record live album straight to vinyl at Kendal Calling: The album will be mixed, mastered, and pressed for sale on vinyl at the festival within only 48 hours of the set. The Charlatans‘ Tim Burgess will be recording a live album straight to vinyl during his Kendal Calling 2026 set. This year’s instalment of Kendal Calling will mark 20 years since the live event launched in 2006, and will return to the Lake District’s Lowther Deer Park from Thursday July 30 to Sunday August 2. Burgess is set to play the festival’s Tim Peaks Diner—the stage he hosts each year—on Friday July 31. Now, Burgess has announced that the set will be recorded live, then mixed, mastered, and pressed for sale on vinyl at the festival on the Sunday morning, when he will also be doing a signing session at the same venue.
IE | Anthem Vinyl launch digital distribution service: Anthem is Ireland’s only viny-pressing plant after establishing in 2025. Irish vinyl-pressing plant Anthem Vinyl is launching a digital distribution service. Anthem Digital will provide delivery and client support, promotional and campaign-focused marketing services, royalty reporting, collection, and monetisation across audio and video, playlist pitching support, lyric delivery, and DSP-ready marketing assets. “Our aim with Anthem Digital is to ensure all artists and labels we work with can maximise every release, building audiences from the earliest digital singles right through to putting the record on wax,” said Chris Keena, General Manager – Commercial & Digital at Anthem. “We’re offering a tailor-made, hands-on service that supports artists at every stage of their campaign.”
Bunny Wailer’s Rock N Groove Returns to Vinyl! Reintroducing a Reggae Classic for a New Generation: The legacy of reggae music continues to resonate as Solomonic Productions Ltd, Bunny Wailer’s label, proudly announces the remastered Vinyl release of Rock N Groove, a defining album that captures the spirit, rhythm, and message of one of Reggae’s pioneers. …More than just a remaster, this release represents a reintroduction of Bunny Wailer’s musical vision, one rooted in authenticity, consciousness, and the global influence of reggae music. With enhanced sound quality and revitalized energy, Rock N Groove invites listeners to experience the album in a way that honors its original essence while embracing modern listening standards.
KISS Reissue ‘MTV Unplugged’ Performance On Vinyl For 30th Anniversary: The band reunited for the now-celebrated performance. KISS are honoring 30 years of their reunion for an MTV Unplugged performance with a new 2LP set. The band of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley—alongside Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer—came together in 1996 for the now-celebrated performance. The premium vinyl will arrive as a yellow and red swirled color edition. The release comes packaged in a gatefold jacket featuring embossed details with expanded unreleased photos and a brand-new single-sided poster.
Hollywood, CA | Hollywood Block Party: Amoeba Music—the world’s largest independent record store—is heading outside for the first-ever Hollywood Block Party, held at Argyle Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard. DJs Travis Holcombe and Monalisa will be spinning, and Bristol Farms, Capitol Records, Funko!, Goldenvoice, Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Hollywood Partnership and W Hollywood will all join in the fun. Amoeba will be bringing back its famous sidewalk sale, too, where you can shop deals on used vinyls, CDs, DVD box sets and books. At 1pm and 3pm, you can win raffle prizes—including a stay at the W Hollywood, tickets to the Laugh Factory, a turntable from Amoeba and more—with proceeds benefiting nonprofit Food on Foot.
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