Gainesville, GA | Moe’s Record Shop Creates a Home for Local Musicians: Every weekend, live music can be heard from the back of Moe’s Record Shop in downtown Gainesville, adding to the sounds of North Georgia’s local music scene. From album release parties to live shows, the local record shop offers more than vintage vinyl. Leonard “Moe” Lyons opened his shop in Gainesville in 2019. After moving to his current location in the downtown Gainesville square, live music became an important part of the store. “We moved to this spot in April of 2023, and we had a show that weekend and we’ve been having shows ever since then,” Lyons said.
Cleveland, OH | Get into the groove as Wax and Tracks Fest brings Midwest record stores to Cleveland: Vinyl Groove Records in Old Brooklyn hosts the only Cleveland music festival celebrating small, local record stores Saturday, Sept. 19. Independent record store owners and staff from all over the Midwest are coming to Cleveland and bringing their own crates of rare vinyls, new music and more to share with local music fans. Wax and Tracks Fest, now in its second year, is Saturday, Sept. 19, at Vinyl Groove Records, 5100 Pearl Road in Old Brooklyn. “…It is a love letter to Cleveland,” Cecilia Wolfe said. “[We’re] giving back to our community and also keeping the music alive, because Cleveland is the home of rock and roll, and people forget that we are a music city.”
Houston, TX | Midtown record shop Sig’s Lagoon’s new YouTube show is turning into a campy must-watch: On certain Sunday nights, Midtown record shop Sig’s Lagoon turns its heavily stocked music haven into a talk-show set for “Late Night at the Lagoon.” Debuting in April on YouTube, this mini-talk show is a silly 15-20 minutes that features interviews and performances filmed on the store’s first floor. Nick Walton, an employee and “keyholder” since last November, created “Lagoon” with producer/musician Evan Escalante, the son of owner/executive producer Tomas Escalante. “When I started, they were mentioning that they’d been wanting to do video content for a while,” says Walton, who handles directing and editing duties. “I have a background in radio, television, film, and music. So I was like, well, I can cook something like that up.”
Bristol, VA | Businesses and vibes thrive during Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion: Downtown Bristol, in both Virginia and Tennessee, has grown along with the 25-year-old festival. …A few doors down from Blakley-Mitchell, Cheap Thrill Records doesn’t have quite the lengthy State Street history, but owner Wyatt Lilly likes the decision he made to set up shop here. Lilly had two West Virginia stores, one in Princeton that he opened in 1995 and one in Beckley that he launched four years later. After some friends encouraged him to check out Bristol, he noticed that the music-centric downtown, with its iconic sign that says “Bristol Va Tenn A Good Place to Live,” was lacking a business like his. “If you’ve ever been down here when it’s not Rhythm & Roots, it’s just a totally charming downtown.”
South Harrow, UK | Remembering Sellanby, South Harrow’s much loved record shop: For many people growing up in and around South Harrow, one of those places was Sellanby. The independent record shop stood on Northolt Road, close to South Harrow station, and became a familiar part of the area for decades. Customers remember buying vinyl, cassettes and later CDs there, while the shop also sold second hand music and videos. For some, it was the place where they first discovered bands and artists they would continue listening to for years. Sellanby is believed to have been trading in South Harrow from around the mid 1970s.
Southampton, UK | DJ breaks Guinness World Record for most vinyl shop visits: A Southampton DJ and music producer has been awarded a Guinness World Record following his ‘bucket list’ bid to visit as many South Coast vinyl record stores as possible in 24 hours. Paul Ridney has had confirmation of his successful world record attempt after a mad dash across the South Coast to 32 vinyl record stores in 24 hours last October using only public transport. Paul’s delight at the accolade is tempered by the fact that three of the stores he visited have since closed down. He said: “Nearly a year ago, I set out to achieve something on my bucket list. After a long wait, I’m incredibly pleased to say that the attempt was successful!”
Bromsgrove, UK | Bromsgrove Vinyl Record Fair 10th Year Anniversary: Bromsgrove Vinyl Record Fair on September 20th 9am–3pm, with 20 traders and 50+ tables, they’ll be tens of thousands of LPs/singles & CDs to dig through. Expect Rock, Psych, Prog, Folk, Blues, Jazz, 60s-00s Pop, New Wave, Punk, Reggae, Disco, Soul, Funk and Dance House, Deep House, Tech House, Techno, Minimal, Drum n Bass. Sunday September 20th, 9am–3pm, Venue name–Bromsgrove Hotel & Spa, Location Post Code–B61 0JB. £5 admission per person for ‘Early Bird’ from 9am. Payment cash on door, £1 admission per person for buyers from 10am. Free admission for everyone from 1.30pm
Manila, PH | ‘One stop record fair: Vinyl in Motion Volume 2’ returns. The crates are back. “One Stop Record Fair: Vinyl In Motion Volume 2” returns at the Mindanao Lobby, Trinoma by Ayala Malls, from Sept. 18-20. Following a successful first run, Volume 2 expands to three full days of digging with over 25 sellers from across the metro, offering vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, audio gear, and vintage merch. From first pressings to rare OPM gems—if you’ve been hunting for it, it’s probably here. Catch live, all-day DJ sets from some of the scene’s most respected selectors. Plus, score exclusive prizes and giveaways. Rega is giving attendees a chance to win a brand new turntable, while Audio-Technica will be on-site with their latest headsets, speakers, and turntables.
New York, NY | Deep Dive: Listening to Solange. Join us for an in-depth perspective on the music of Solange Knowles, as experts play influential songs and share insights. The next event in the series Deep Dive, which explores the work of popular artists who have shaped our musical imagination, focuses on the multidisciplinary Solange Knowles. On the 10th anniversary of Solange’s A Seat at the Table—an album that redefined contemporary R&B through its intimate reflections on Black womanhood, healing, family, memory, and self-determination—we present a discussion and reflection on key tracks from her catalog. Emily Lordi and Salamishah Tillet, two of the most insightful voices writing and thinking about Black culture today, will help us understand Solange’s artistic and cultural impact.
Orlando, FL | Vibrant Things invites women who love vinyl to spin records at Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe: When an event is named after a Q-Tip solo sizzler, you know you’re in for a good time, and when the extremely well-curated shelves of Uncle Tony’s Donut Shoppe are the setting for said event … so much the better. This weekend’s Vibrant Things gathering invites women who love vinyl to gather at this cozy shop for an afternoon of socializing, crate-digging and jumping behind the shop’s decks to spin the music you love on wax. The event also doubles as a zine release party for the new booklet by Orlando photographer Sasha, “a visual love letter” to the island of Lanzarote off the coast of West Africa and its defiant spirit. Reserving your DJ slot beforehand via Eventbrite is strongly encouraged.
Follow The Vinyl District on Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE, Threads HERE, Bluesky HERE, and X/Twitter HERE.
