Can Taylor Swift Single-Handedly Reverse the Vinyl Downturn? Taylor Swift is already reversing the fortunes of AMC movie theaters nationwide worldwide. So why not vinyl, which is now declining in the US? If you’re a hardcore Swiftie, you’re probably buying some Taylor Swift vinyl this year. That’s not a far-fetched prediction: according to DMN’s intel, Swifties have already gobbled up hundreds of thousands of limited-edition LPs of her upcoming album, The Life of a Showgirl, before the official release date. And there’s more vinyl on the way. But can Taylor sell enough vinyl LPs to save the format from its first decline in nearly two decades? Ahead of the October 3rd release of The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift took a page out of the Pokémon handbook with a new ‘Shiny Bug Collection’ limited edition album. The release was supposed to be available for 48 hours, but ended up selling out in less than an hour across different markets worldwide—with the US accounting for the largest share of sales.
Tokyo, JP | Shopping in Jinbocho, Tokyo: Echo Records. Positioned right in between Jimbocho, Kudanshita and Suidobashi, Echo Records is a niche second-hand record store with a psychedelic edge. The store specialises in used vinyl ranging from American pre-war blues and jazz to psychedelic rock of the ’60s and ’70s. Owner Takeshi Dooka runs the shop from behind a bar counter, serving cheap pints and homemade coffee – the perfect companions whether you’re sinking into the sofa to listen to your latest find on the shop’s custom speakers or taking a break from digging through stacks of records. …The amicable owner is always on hand to share stories about his finds, recommend hidden gems, or pour you a beer while the turntable spins. You’ll also find a small vintage clothing shop on the first floor.
Brighton, UK | Nick Cave fans queue outside Resident in Brighton Lanes: Nick Cave fans were seen queuing outside a Brighton record store hoping to get their hands on tickets for an exclusive “homecoming” gig. Earlier this month, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds announced they will play at Preston Park, Brighton, on July 31 next year. Ahead of tickets going officially on sale tomorrow (September 26), Resident in Kensington Gardens, Brighton, held an in-person ticket sale. Rosie Griffin, Rudi Vizi and Jon Mimm were first in the queue, having arrived at 4am. Rosie said: “I love the fact that it’s a physical ticket instead of being online or being on an app. “I also just like not having to have that massive bun fight of large queues online. “I’ve queued for the Eras tour, a couple of times and I won that great war but I thought, I just don’t think I’ve got the energy to do that right now. But I do have the energy to come down here at 4 o’clock this morning.”
Manchester, UK | Johnny Marr plaque unveiled in Manchester as musician named Record Store Legend: A plaque has been unveiled in Manchester honouring musician Johnny Marr, who has been awarded the title of Record Store Legend. The 61-year-old’s support of independent record stores worldwide has been commemorated with a plaque at Piccadilly Records, situated in the city where he co-founded rock band The Smiths in 1982. The accolade is a joint honour presented by both Record Store Day US and UK, and follows on from Sir Elton John becoming the first recipient of the award in 2017. Marr said: “Going out to a record store, it’s a nice pastime. “It’s a part of the culture, if they were to completely disappear the high street or the city centre would be a much worse-off place. There’s something about the presence of a record store. “It’s a magical thing. I’ve known the staff in Piccadilly Records for 20 years … this plaque is a very nice thing to be associated with.”
Bexhill, UK | In pictures: Bexhill record shop celebrates a decade. Records and Retro in Sackville Road, Bexhill is celebrating ten years of trading in Bexhill. The shop is a treasure trove of second-hand CD’s and records and is also the place to snap up some rare and vintage, high-end, hifi equipment. The shop is famed for its huge selection of CD’s which are priced at just £1 each. It is often packed with loyal customers who benefit from the advice of knowledgeable owner Ken Barry. Ken has been involved in records and hifi for 20 years and had a shop at Henley on Thames before re-locating to Bexhill. Ken said: “I love it here and have met so many interesting people who share a passion for music. We offer the best prices and if someone comes in with a big pile of records or CD’s we will buy them all.
McMinnville, OR | Record store opening soon in downtown McMinnville: A new destination for music lovers is set to open in historic downtown McMinnville just in time for the annual Autumn Street Fair. Flat Foot Records, a new independent record store, will officially open its doors on Saturday, Oct. 4, providing a dedicated space for vinyl collectors and music enthusiasts. The store is located at 102 W Main Street, directly across from the Park Theater. The venture is being spearheaded by the same local group that brought Topz Frozen Yogurt & Metro Deli and Cumberland Biscuit Company to Warren County. The new shop will be managed by Josh Wanamaker, who joked about himself being the store’s “front man.” Wanamaker, a local singer-songwriter, explained that his deep passion for music and physical media inspired the project. “I’m passionate for it in a way that it drives me and it pulls me to it,” Wanamaker said. “It means a great deal to me. I think that there’s a lot lost in streaming.”
Newcastle, UK | Photos of Newcastle’s West End record shop Beyond Vinyl as it continues its journey to support the area: Newcastle’s newest CIC has been approved in the West End. Beyond Vinyl, which moved to the John Marley Centre near Denton in 2023 after leaving the city centre, has announced Beyond Music Community CIC is now officially registered as a Community Interest Company. This is part of a wider scheme to support young people and artists across the city to be able to pursue music.
Once just a prototype, this Pro-Ject Signature 12.2 turntable is now available to buy: Austrian hi-fi brand Pro-Ject has launched two new premium turntables. Both the flagship Signature 12.2 and The Classic Reference were previously shown off as prototypes, but they’re now available to buy in the UK from Henley Audio. The Signature 12.2 is said to be the most advanced turntable the brand has ever built, and the pinnacle of its design. It’s made from more than 100 individually CNC-machined parts, with all metal parts meticulously hand-polished for two days before assembly. It certainly looks like they’ve been busy with the Mr Sheen. The MDF chassis is hand-painted and finished in 10 layers of piano black lacquer. But it’s also designed with performance in mind—the rounded edges reduce standing waves, while the adjustable feet are conical-tipped and spring-loaded for perfect levelling.
Fine Young Cannibals / ‘FYC40’ deluxe and Raw & The Cooked SDE exclusive blu-ray: Fine Young Cannibals celebrate 40 years this November with some exciting products including FYC40—a career spanning 4CD+DVD deluxe set—and an SDE exclusive blu-ray of their transatlantic number one album The Raw & The Cooked, featuring a David Kosten Dolby Atmos Mix of the 1989 long-player. Formed in 1985 by Andy Cox, David Steele (ex-The Beat), and Roland Gift, the band broke through with ‘Johnny Come Home’ and their cover of ‘Suspicious Minds.’ The Raw & the Cooked brought global fame, with ‘She Drives Me Crazy’ and ‘Good Thing’ both hitting No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA. In total, the FYC40 deluxe edition features over 100 tracks and the hardcover book packaging is housed in a heavyweight slipcase. Audio is remastered and there’s essays by Andrew Harrison and John Earls.
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