AU | Australia’s affair with Vinyl—100 Years of Stunning Sound: For decades evangelists have been preaching the sonic benefits of the format—the warmth, the richness, the ‘emotional engagement.’ This is a technology that has stood the test of time, with the first vinyl LP being released by RCA Victor in September 1930, and this was an evolution of earlier variations that can be traced back to Thomas Edison’s Phonograph in 1877. No other recorded format has even gone close to surviving for 100 years, so what makes vinyl so special. …The audio enthusiasts among us would say it is simply down to sound quality, and that is a reasonable assumption. The mechanism of playing a vinyl record is so archaic and rudimentary it’s a wonder that it works at all, but here it is, close on 100 years later, still regarded by many as the supreme source of recorded music.
Dundee, UK | Chance to buy unseen stock from iconic Dundee record store Groucho’s—including Oasis souvenirs: The daughter of the shop’s late owner, Alastair ‘Breeks’ Brodie, is selling off boxes of records and souvenirs. Music fans are being given the chance to buy unseen stock from iconic Dundee record store Groucho’s. The shop, on Nethergate, attracted customers from across the country and even some famous faces before closing in September 2020. It followed the death of legendary owner, Alastair ‘Breeks’ Brodie, who had run the shop for 42 years. Some goods that were left in the shop have since been auctioned off. However, a further sale of unseen stock will take place this Saturday (August 9). Alastair’s daughter, Jenny Brodie, who will host the sale, told The Courier: “This will be a great chance for people to browse through and buy stock not seen since the shop closed in 2020.
US | Vintage vibes take over as National Vinyl Record Day approaches: Vinyl album sales in the United States increased for the 18th consecutive year in 2024, continuing a steady rise in popularity that has surprised many in the streaming era. That momentum fuels a cultural shift, where analog rituals and sensory experiences are gaining renewed attention. In the middle of this resurgence, vintage vibes take over as National Vinyl Record Day approaches, drawing collectors and newcomers into its orbit. Beyond the numbers, there’s a growing sense that vinyl culture is more than just playback; it’s about presence, process and community. From turntable upgrades to storytelling sessions, the lead-up to Aug. 12 shows how lively and creative the analog space has become. National Vinyl Record Day takes place on Aug. 12, and offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on vinyl’s enduring vintage appeal.
US | The Rolling Stones debut Pressed and Poured set in honor of National Vinyl Record Day: Aug. 12 is National Vinyl Record Day, and to celebrate The Rolling Stones are offering fans a unique collectible. In connection with their Crossfire Hurricane Rum, The Stones have debuted what they’re calling a Pressed and Poured set, which includes a vinyl Stones record, a full-sized bottle of Crossfire Hurricane and a limited-edition Rolling Stones pourer, which features their iconic lips logo. The set is described as “a collector’s dream that brings music and spirit together in one unforgettable drop.” The sets are currently available to order at CrossfireHurricane.com and will ship at the end of August, early September. The Rolling Stones debuted Crossfire Hurricane in 2023.
Cher’s 2003 live album is finally coming to streaming and vinyl: Cher’s 2003 live album documenting her record-breaking Living Proof: The Farewell Tour is finally coming to digital service providers and vinyl. The Farewell Tour, previously only available on CD, will be released as a two-LP hot pink and purple vinyl set and on streaming platforms on Sept. 26. From the album, a live version of her first solo hit—her 1965 cover of Bob Dylan’s “All I Really Want to Do”—is out now. The newly remastered album, which was recorded in 2002 in Miami, includes three tracks which were previously only included on the TV special and concert film Live! The Farewell Tour. They include “We All Sleep Alone” and “Different Kind of Love Song.” Cher’s Farewell Tour, which didn’t end up being her final tour at all, was, at the time, the highest-grossing tour ever by a female artist, lasting from 2002 to 2005 and grossing over $200 million across 325 shows.
The Sundays’ Dream Pop Classic ‘Blind’ Receives Vinyl Reissue: The band’s 1992 effort is available for pre-order now. The Sundays’ second album, Blind, originally released in 1992, is coming to vinyl. The album is highlighted by Harriet Wheeler’s haunting vocals and David Gavurin’s artful guitar work, as the band explores themes of longing, uncertainty, and emotional vulnerability. The re-release, which was remastered and cut at 45 RPM, includes standout singles like “Love,” “Goodbye,” “On Earth,” and the bonus track cover version of Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses.” This new edition confirms The Sundays’ influence in the worlds of dream pop and indie rock, as poignant today as it was upon its release. Upon its release, the album was an instant success, landing in the top 20 of the UK charts and having a steady presence on the Billboard 200, too. Blind came along at an interesting time for British rock music.
Decca reissues Marianne Faithfull’s complete catalog on vinyl, CD, and digital formats: Singer, actress, author and performer Marianne Faithfull’s complete UK Decca catalog has been reissued on LP, CD and streaming. Before her passing on January 30 this year, Marianne completed work on two projects that were to commemorate her 60th anniversary in music; the first was her final EP Burning Moonlight, a collection of four songs inspired by her Decca recordings, the second was her contribution to this series of reissues where she talked in-depth about her Decca recording career for the first time. All four of Marianne’s original Decca albums Marianne Faithfull, Come My Way, North Country Maid and Loveinamist have been reissued on vinyl alongside Cast Your Fate To The Wind: a new double LP of the collected singles and B-sides.
Halsey to Share Unreleased Demos and Rarities on ‘Badlands’ 10th Anniversary Reissue: Halsey will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her debut album Badlands with a new reissue project featuring previously unreleased demos and other rarities. Badlands: Anthology is set to arrive Aug. 29 as a triple-disc vinyl set. It’ll include the original breakthrough album, orchestral versions of several songs, and demos of tracks like “Drive,” “Ghost,” “Hurricane,” and “Trouble.” Among the rarities are “You(th),” a song previously released on an old Badlands box set, and “Garden,” which Halsey only made available on a CD shared with fans on her 2016 European tour. A few tracks from Halsey’s 2014 debut EP, Room 93, will also be included, as will remixes by Arty, Lost Kings, and Sander Kleinenberg.
King Crimson announce In The Wake Of Poseidon and Lizard reissues to be released in October: King Crimson have announced new reissues of In The Wake Of Poseidon and Lizard on CD and with a 200g vinyl reissue for Lizard as well. All the reissues will be released through DGM/Panegryic on October 24. Both released in 1970, King Crimson’s second album, In The Wake Of Poseidon, and third release Lizard’s CD reissues will be released as two-disc sets featuring CD and Blu-ray and will feature completely new mixes of the album* in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD MA, surround & Hi-Res Stereo by Steven Wilson, new Elemental Mixes of four of the tracks in Hi-Res Stereo by David Singleton. In The Wake Of Poseidon’s Devil’s Triangle will not feature in the new mixes, but rather the alternate version originally assembled for the now-unavailable, Sailors’ Tales boxed set and the CD will feature new Elemental Mixes of four of the tracks in Hi-Res Stereo by David Singleton plus two additional versions of Cadence And Cascade.
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