London, UK | Record Shops to Stage Over 4,000 Gigs This Year—In-Store and Out-Store Performances Now Account for One in 40 Live Gigs in the UK: Artists and bands will perform more than 4,000 in-store and ‘out-store’ performances this year, as record shops emerge as one of the UK’s most vibrant live music sectors, according to digital entertainment and retail association ERA. Once a rarity, live performances are now a daily staple for many record shops. ERA estimates that record shops already account for around one in 40 gigs in the UK, and the trend is rising. The rapid rise in the number of in-store performances reflects the strong resurgence of record shops, with the ERA 2025 yearbook reporting independent shop numbers reaching a ten-year high of 471, while HMV contributed a further 124 across the UK.
UK | From Vinyl to Venues: How record shops are reinventing the gig scene. Once the quiet sanctuaries of crate-diggers and sleeve-flippers, UK record shops are now roaring with live music—and not just between the shelves. In a seismic shift that’s turning high streets into hotbeds of sonic energy, record stores are staging over 4,000 gigs this year, carving out a new identity as grassroots gig-makers and cultural curators. According to the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), these in-store and “out-store” performances now account for one in every 40 live gigs across the UK. That’s some statistic. A decade ago, catching a live act in your local record shop was as rare as finding a mint-condition Joy Division pressing. Fast forward to 2025, and it’s become a daily ritual. Whether it’s CMAT serenading fans in a snug corner of Rough Trade or Nova Twins tearing it up in a pop-up venue next door, record shops are no longer just selling music—they’re staging it.
CA | 6 iconic record stores in Southern California that still host live music: These record stores double as mini venues, proving that in Southern California, music always finds a way to spin live. Vinyl has never truly gone away. Even as streaming reshaped how we listen to music, records have remained a constant—offering the ritual of sliding an album out of its sleeve, dropping the needle, and hearing that warm crackle as the music begins to play. For longtime collectors and new listeners alike, vinyl carries a sense of nostalgia and connection that digital formats just simply cannot replicate. Record stores, in turn, are more than just places to buy albums. They’re community spaces where fans gather to dig through bins, talk music, and sometimes stumble into an in-store performance. These live shows carry a different kind of magic—intimate, raw, and often unforgettable.
Kingston, UK | CMAT’s wit shines in intimate Record Store gigs: Following a career-cementing run of festival billings this summer, and receiving widespread critical acclaim on the release of her third album EURO-COUNTRY last week, CMAT brings pizzazz, punchlines, and her poignant lyricism to Kingston’s Circuit. The self-proclaimed Queen of Dublin has been rising the ranks of pop music’s ever ebbing consciousness. Steadily, at first, and then all at once as a result of TikTok viral “Take A Sexy Picture Of Me” and its accompanying dance. Whilst still proclaiming all of her fans are “Irish or lesbian,” her intimate record store tour in the aftermath of her album release has proven new, emergent legions of groupies across the country (or, as she describes between acoustic renditions of her most beloved songs, “I only go to the finer places in life like Kingston… and Bedford… and Milton Keynes.”)
Limerick, IE | Vinyl makes a comeback to Limerick with ‘Live at the Record Room.’ Psst… tickets are free! Vinyl’s resurgence in the music world is making a particular comeback in Limerick, where local musicians are being recorded onto vinyl as part of a unique initiative. The Record Room on Catherine Street is currently hosting live recording events on Thursdays, and tickets are free. The second volume of “Live at the Record Room” is set to be recorded this Thursday, capturing the raw energy of the city’s music scene. Speaking on Live 95’s Limerick Today, Mark Carey of Steamboat Key Music says vinyl offers a powerful way for fans to support their favourite artists directly. “An artist will make a lot more money out of selling a record or a CD than they do on Spotify.” He believes the return to physical media is partly a reaction to “streaming fatigue,” as music lovers seek to own and control their collections rather than just lease them.
London, UK | Rachel Zegler greets fans in old money look at London record signing event: Rachel Zegler steps out in old money look at a London record signing on Monday while promoting the ‘Evita’ vinyl release. Rachel Zegler made a striking appearance in London on Monday as she attended a record signing event for Don’t Cry for Me Argentina. The 24-year-old actress, currently starring as Eva Perón in the West End revival of Evita, opted for an oversized grey blazer with no shirt underneath, accessorizing the look with a Jimmy Choo bag and heels. The West Side Story and Snow White star greeted crowds of excited fans outside the Rough Trade store in West London, where she signed copies of the vinyl release tied to her performance in the hit musical. According to Daily Mail, Zegler has been based in London for the past six months while leading Jamie Lloyd’s adaptation of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber classic.
Newcastle, UK | JADE confirms midnight album signing in Newcastle as record store opens late for fans: South Shields’ own pop icon JADE will sign copies of That’s Just Showbiz the second it comes out at a special Newcastle event. She is without a doubt the hottest property in pop in 2025 and JADE will launch her debut album That’s Just Showbiz in her native North East with a special midnight signing. And it’s going to happen at a famous record store in the heart of Newcastle. The last of the Little Mix girls to go solo, JADE followed in the footsteps of Leigh-Anne and Perrie by venturing out alone last summer and had an immediate impact as her debut single Angel of My Dreams, was quickly championed as THE pop record of the year. The momentum has never dropped since either, with her back catalogue already full of anthems like IT Girl, FUFN and Plastic Box and now, after quite a summer, JADE is gearing up to release her first ever solo album.
Quezon City, PH | Spin through the holidays at the One Stop Record Fair in Trinoma: Audiophiles and collectors have a reason to celebrate the holiday season early as the One Stop Record Fair. Vinyl in Motion makes a comeback at the Ayala Malls TriNoma Activity Center from September 12 to 16. Get into the holiday vibe at this five-day record fair and score early the best vinyl records, turntables, other audio equipment and various collectibles from 40 participating sellers. Be ready to dig through crates filled with vintage and newly released vinyl records—with most at a discounted price—spanning all genres, as well as cassette tapes and CDs, from Mamsy Records, Spin the Reel Music Trade, Perfect Day Records, Sounds Inc.,Vinyl Fields Records, Rudys Record Store, D’ Neighbor’s Stuff, Vicor Records among others.
Donegal, IE | Letterkenny Community Centre set to host record fair next month: Visitors can browse through crates of vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and music memorabilia, with something for collectors and casual browsers alike. Music fans in the northwest are in for a treat later this month as Real Cool Fairs bring their popular Record Fair to Letterkenny Community Centre. The event takes place on Sunday, September 21, from 11am to 5pm, with free admission for all. Visitors can browse through crates of vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, and music memorabilia, with something for collectors and casual browsers alike. Organisers say it’s the perfect chance to discover rare finds, pick up bargains, and meet fellow music lovers in a lively atmosphere. The fair is expected to draw enthusiasts from across Donegal and beyond, making it a must for anyone with a passion for music.
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