Category Archives: A morning mix of news for the vinyl inclined

US | Music distributor Alliance Entertainment says it sold over 16M vinyl records and 13M CDs in 2025: US-based physical entertainment distributor and wholesaler Alliance Entertainment has reported quarterly growth in its vinyl and CD businesses as part of its financial results for calendar Q4 2025. For calendar Q4 (the company’s fiscal Q2 2026) ended December 31, 2025, the Florida-headquartered firm posted a 3% year-over-year increase in vinyl record revenue, which it attributed to “continued consumer demand for collectible and limited-edition releases.” CD revenue, meanwhile, was up approximately 5% YoY, supported, according to the company, “by higher unit volumes and the company’s first full quarter as the exclusive distributor for Virgin Music Group through its AMPED Distribution division”.

Bonita Springs, FL | Keeping the records spinning: From New York nightclubs to a Southwest Florida flea market, Ismael Coira turns his lifelong passion for music into a growing vinyl haven that brings people together. Music is a huge part of the culture in SWFL, from the bands that perform at sports games to the music heard on car radios. With the love of jazz, pop, hip-hop and other genres, Bonita Springs’ DJ Ishhh Records & Collectibles holds a collection of expression through vinyl. Owner Ismael Coira has always had a passion for music since his youth and enjoys sharing his love of music through his store. …“I’ve always been passionate about music from that, from the experience I had growing up in the nightclubs. This place, called the ‘Fun House,’ was a Saturday night ritual where we used to see Madonna before she was famous. She was the DJ’s girlfriend, and she would just hang out.”

East Hampton, CT | East Hampton mourns slated closure of book shop, record store and live music bar: The owner of a live music bar with a record shop and book store in East Hampton is closing up shop—with hopes that someone will take on the mantle. Dexter’s Tunes Tales & Ales, located at 91 Main Street, will close by March 31, according to a Facebook post. The owner, Martha Wick, said the business opened the space in 2021 with the goal of giving the spot five years in business. “And here we are,” Wick wrote. “This community, this room and all of you have meant more to me than I can ever put into words.” Her announcement prompted an outpouring of support in the comments, with locals thanking Wick for the great run.

Manchester, UK | ‘After 30 years, you learn what sells’: the owner of Manchester’s Vinyl Revival on supporting new artists. Ahead of The BRIT Awards 2026, Colin White explains why independent record stores are great spaces to champion new talent and create community connections. There’s something special about holding a record in your hands – slipping it out of the sleeve, studying the artwork and placing it on the turntable. And there’s nothing better than discovering a vinyl at a record store after flipping through all the LPs; leaving the shop with a tangible piece of your favourite artist or band. Record stores have always been more than places to buy music. They’re community hubs, attracting like-minded people who spend hours browsing collections and digging out forgotten classics. There’s also the opportunity to discover new artists and gain valuable knowledge from the store owner.

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US | The analog antidote: why Americans are trading algorithms for physical media: Across the United States, vinyl records, physical books, and even DVDs are experiencing a renewed wave of interest. In 2026, consumers are increasingly seeking ownership, mental focus, and a break from constant screen time—a cultural recalibration that is carving out a meaningful niche alongside the dominance of streaming. In an era when a smartphone can hold millions of songs and films, Mike Breton is noticing a different kind of demand at his Portland store, Electric Buddhas. Customers aren’t just browsing—they’re searching for record players, DVDs, and shelves of vinyl.

Berkeley, CA | Zoning Permits Filed For Amoeba Apartments in Southside, Berkeley: Formal permits have been filed for the eight-story mixed-use development at 2455 Telegraph Avenue in Southside, Berkeley. The project is looking to create 68 new apartments and a new home for the Amoeba Record Store. Amoeba co-owners Dave Prinz and Marc Weinstein are jointly responsible for the development. The eight-story structure is expected to rise approximately 90 feet tall while preserving the historic mural along Haste Street, and the arched rainbow mural facing Telegraph Avenue. The latest filing shows the project will produce 68 units, of which 7 will be deed-restricted as affordable to very low-income households. The initial press release stated that the new housing is being designed for students.

Austin, TX | Waterloo’s ‘Spin it Foward’ vinyl donation drive helps bring music to hospital patients: A few years ago, Austin doctor Tyler Jorgensen, M.D., started a program with Dell Seton Medical Center to bring an unconventional form of comfort to hospital patients and their loved ones. ATX-VINyL, developed by Jorgenson in 2023, is a “resource that encourages patients and their families to connect through music, adding comfort and nostalgia to their patient rooms during the last stages of their care,” as one University of Texas article put it. Now, one of Austin’s biggest and most well-known vinyl record shops is supporting the program’s mission. Waterloo Records is holding a vinyl drive for ATX-VINyL through March 1, according to a post made online Monday.

US | Cataloging Black-owned record stores: As part of celebrating Black History Month, here’s a list of known Black-owned record stores in the United States and other places around the globe. The list includes those stores that are either fully or partially Black-owned. Sadly, as with all variations of brick and mortar record retailers, the advent of streaming, digital downloading, and online retailers like Amazon.com has vastly decreased the number of Black-owned record stores. It was also noteworthy that several stores only recently identified in previously published stories/articles (in the past five years) were discovered to have now closed permanently. Kudos to these business owners for weathering the economic, social, and technological challenges of owning and operating an independent record store in the 21st Century.

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Gen Z is the “driving force” of vinyl’s current popularity, survey finds: Gen Z’s enthusiasm for vinyl has pushed the format from its longtime “revival” status into the successfully “revived” category, according to a new survey by the Vinyl Alliance calling the generation the “driving force” in vinyl’s popularity. The global vinyl industry nonprofit collective has polled more than 2,500 music fans about their physical media habits to find that 76% of 18-to-24-year-olds reported buying a vinyl record at least once per month, with 80% owning a record player—shutting down the unsubstantiated chatter than younger vinyl buyers were buying records to possess only as a collectible. Half of Gen Z respondents said they enjoyed listening to vinyl because “it provides a break from digital life”, with a close 49% of Millennials agreeing, followed by just 34% of Gen X music fans. The survey also reports that the in-person shopping experience at record stores is still highly valued, with 84% of Gen Z vinyl buyers doing so and 57% saying it’s their preferred shopping method.

If You Really Want To Support Your Favorite Artists—Buy Their Records: …There are still plenty of reasons why you should be purchasing physical copies of your favorite movies, shows and albums despite what major corporations such as Netflix and Spotify might say. The first and most important one would simply be that purchasing physical media, especially while discussing music, is the best way to support your favorite artists/creators. It’s a poorly kept secret that Spotify and Apple Music pay artists next to nothing per stream. It’s theorized that artists get approximately $0.003-0.005 per stream on Spotify, while Apple pays slightly better at $.01 per stream. I don’t think that I have to explain how that’s not sustainable to make a living, especially for indie artists.

Jenkintown, PA | Smelly’s Vinyl Vibes, a new record shop, is coming soon to Jenkintown: Greg Wagner, 61, of Jenkintown, is in the early stages of launching a new record shop in Jenkintown called Smelly’s Vinyl Vibes. A Mt. Airy native, Wagner has lived in the borough for 26 years and was a resident of Glenside for six years prior. He purchased 744 Yorkway Place (across the alley from The Keep Easy) about a decade ago and currently works out of the first-floor office as a technology salesman for Web Age Solutions. Smelly’s Vinyl Vibes will gradually take over the office space until it’s ready to open, which Wagner said could be sometime in June. The project was born out of Wagner’s forthcoming retirements plans. “I needed something to keep me busy, so I thought of opening a record store,” he said.

Delhi, IN | Why Delhi is falling for vinyl again: As digital platforms dominate music consumption, Delhi’s vinyl collectors and curators are reviving analogue listening through records and community sessions. TMS examines how intentional listening is reshaping the city’s music culture. In an age where music lives inside phones, playlists, and algorithms, vinyl records offer a different kind of warmth—listening that demands patience and presence, as melodies unfold through faint crackles and soft pops. In Delhi, this analogue charm is finding new listeners, with vinyl parties, record stores, and a growing community of enthusiasts. Samarth Kotru, co-founder of Delhi Record Store (DRS), says vinyl culture has always existed in the city, but has gained fresh momentum over the past year, especially among listeners aged 20 to 35. According to him, younger listeners are driving the trend, but older collectors remain a crucial part of the ecosystem.

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Pasadena, CA | Artist Dave Muller opens record store inside Pasadena gallery: A solo exhibition spanning two decades of music-obsessed work arrives at ArtCenter’s Williamson Gallery in March, with vinyl for sale. Afunctioning record store will open inside ArtCenter College of Design’s Williamson Gallery on March 14, anchoring a solo exhibition of more than two decades of work by Los Angeles-based artist Dave Muller. The exhibition, “Dave Muller: Proto Typical,” presents watercolors, drawings, temporary murals and installations rooted in Muller’s lifelong fascination with music—album covers, vinyl records, cassettes, bootlegs, set lists, price tags and instruments, all rendered by hand. A centerpiece is Record Pavilion 2.0, a fully operational record store stocked with vinyl from Muller’s personal collection that visitors can browse and purchase throughout the show’s run, which extends through August 8, according to a press release from ArtCenter.

Dallas, TX | Jambaloo’s Women in Music Night Focuses on Record Stores: Jambaloo, the North Texas music festival that showcases local bands on stages across the region, isn’t just live music. Thursday night, independent record store owners talked about being a woman in the music business at Spinster Records. To the average music fan, Jambaloo might seem like any other festival, with a multi-day showcase of North Texas’s best music. But, it’s a lot more than a week of free concerts, and last night’s “On The Record: Women Behind DFW’s Most Influential Indie Record Stores” symposium held at Spinster Records in Bishop Arts was proof. Four record store gurus gathered for a wide-ranging conversation that included the importance of building a music community that extends beyond streaming and social media.

Memphis, TN | New record store set to open in Memphis mall: What goes around comes around, as a new record and music shop is set to drop the needle in Memphis’ Wolfchase Galleria mall this year. Joe’s Records, which has operated out of St. Louis since 2004, plans to begin work on a Wolfchase space in March, with a tentative opening date in May. The store carries genres from rock and rap to punk, country soul, dance and metal, in vinyl and CD formats, plus T-shirts, posters and more online and in-store. “We like Memphis big time as a market,” owner Joe Smith said. “There’s several really good record stores down there that are awesome, but per capita Memphis, I was surprised there is not more independent record stores, and we think there is a real opportunity, especially on the east side of Memphis…”

St. Louis, MO | Legendary punk band Story of the Year releases album in person at Vintage Vinyl: St. Louis natives and legendary punk band Story of the Year signed copies of their newly-released album, A.R.S.O.N. and memorabilia at Vintage Vinyl. Thirteen-year-old Izzy Terry poses with her copy of the newly-released A.R.S.O.N. album after it was signed by all the members of the legendary punk band, Story of the Year, background, on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Vintage Vinyl record store in University City. The native St. Louis band, left to right, drummer Josh Wills, guitarist Ryan Phillips, bass player Adam Russell and vocalist Dan Marsala first became popular in the early 2000s.

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Chicago, IL | For 40 Years, Black-Owned Out Of The Past Records Has Survived And Thrived On The West Side: Founded by Marie and Charlie Joe Henderson, the shop has endured for four decades on Madison Street. Their granddaughter carries on the family’s legacy amid efforts to revitalize the corridor. Lloyd Johnson has been a regular customer at Out Of The Past Records for the past 20 years. The Near West Side native loves all types of music, but at his favorite record shop in West Garfield Park, he scours the record bins for “dusties”—timeless “oldies but goodies” from ‘70s R&B groups such as The Whispers, Dramatics and Blue Magic, Johnson said. “…Music drives us. Music drives our culture—Black people in general,” Johnson said.

Atlanta, GA | Neighborhood-Oriented, Black-Owned Record Stores Keep Atlanta’s Music Legacy Alive: Music has been said to be a very spiritual thing, especially Black music. The city of Atlanta has had a pulse for music since the early 20th century, thanks to the sounds of Southern gospel, blues and jazz. By the time that the Georgia city became known as the Black Mecca during the 1970s, influential artists like Thomas A. Dorsey, aka the father of gospel, and the Sacred Harp singing tradition came into play. …Home of some of the most influential hip-hop artists and helping to define modern trap music and Southern hip-hop thanks to Atlanta heavy hitters like Future, Lil Baby, Latto, Young Thug, Migos and more, this city continues to be the soundtrack for what is hot.

Guadalajara, MX | Vinyl Weekend Guadalajara arrives with more than 15 exhibitors and free admission. There will be two days with more than 15 exhibitors, buying, selling, and exchanging vinyl records, live DJs, jazz, craft beer, and more. Vinyl Weekend Guadalajara will soon be back to celebrate its tenth edition with more than 15 exhibitors and free admission. Two days of vinyl, music, DJs, craft beer, and vintage culture, the event will take place on February 21 and 22, 2026 , at Vía Libertad from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A family-friendly event that will also be three in one, as Michi Fest and Bazar Stickerismo will also be held at the same location. …Projects such as Velvet Records GDL, Perfecto Miserable Records, Discos Tortuga, Viniles Tapatíos, Panicodiscos, Spin City Records, Oniria Records, Boy Records, among other key players in the local scene, will participate.

Dallas, TX | Where to Find an Actual Vinyl DJ Set in Dallas: For the analog listeners living in this digital world. …We’re not believers in a DJ hierarchy, and we love dance music. But we have to admit, traditional track spinning makes for a really fun set. Analog disc jockeying requires a good ear to match beats per minute and seamlessly transition between tracks. In the ‘80s, before computers completely changed the industry, DJs would mark their records with crayons, noting exactly when to switch tracks. The technique was pioneered by Grandmaster Flash, who also popularized cutting and scratching on tracks, creating elongated, repetitive beats that further paved the way for rap music to emerge. Nowadays, most DJ sets, regardless of skill, look like a lot of button pushing and knob turning. The city still has a collection of DJs kicking it old school, though. Here’s where to catch one of them…

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US | Independent Labels Capture 75% of Record Store Day Sales as Event Expands: Independent labels now control 75% of Record Store Day (RSD) sales. This marks a big change from the event’s early years, when these companies hesitated to press vinyl. Independent labels now control 75% of Record Store Day (RSD) sales. This marks a big change from the event’s early years, when these companies hesitated to press vinyl. Record Store Day co-founder Michael Kurtz shared the sales breakdown after releasing the 2026 release list. “…In the beginning, independent labels were not that involved because they didn’t have the confidence to press up vinyl where they had no idea if people would buy it or not,” said Kurtz, according to SPIN. “Now, independent labels make up 75% of RSD sales, so there’s that flip.”

US | Record Store Day partners with Monster Energy: Record Store Day has announced a new partnership with Monster Energy, the energy drink brand, to create immersive experiences, exclusive promotions and original content celebrating music, vinyl culture and indie record stores. Together, Monster Energy and Record Store Day will create immersive experiences, exclusive promotions, and original content celebrating music, vinyl culture, and independent record stores across the United States. By tapping into Monster Energy’s broad cultural reach, the partnership will open up new opportunities for fans to connect with their favorite artists and discover emerging talent—an experience record stores have long fostered.

Brixton, UK | The Living Museum: Brixton on Vinyl. …Inside Brixton tube station, right there in the ticket hall area, there was a small record shop. It didn’t look like much if you didn’t know what you were looking at just crates, sleeves, a counter but the sound told you everything. This was reggae, dub, lovers rock. Deep basslines that seemed to belong naturally in tiled Underground space. Music that felt like it was travelling with you, not being sold to you. You didn’t need to step fully inside. Most people didn’t. You slowed. You listened. You clocked what was playing. Jamaican imports, UK pressings, the kind of records that didn’t come with explanations because they didn’t need them. The genius of this shop was its position. You met music in motion.

MN | Down in the Valley launches own record label with 4 rare Meat Puppets recordings: The Minnesota record shop is launching its label with four early live recordings from the Meat Puppets. Everyone’s favorite record store is always more than a record store. There’s community, events, recommendations, and, sometimes, concerts. But Down in the Valley, with shops in Golden Valley and Maple Grove, is now really more than a record store. It has launched its own record label, The Old 96er Records, a name that references John Candy’s Paul Bunyan-themed steak dinner in “The Great Outdoors.” Old 96er’s opening salvo will be a limited-edition seven-inch release of four live Meat Puppets EPs on colored vinyl, each of which features cover art by Meat Puppets drummer Derrick Bostrum.

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London, UK | Record Store Day 2026: The Cure, Fleetwood Mac, Manics and more announce new vinyl and re-releases: The annual vinyl scramble returns. Record Store Day is back for 2026, and shocker, it’s shaping up to rinse wallets, test queue stamina once again, and take London by storm. The annual celebration of independent record shops returns on Saturday, the 18th of April, with more than 280 UK stores taking part and hundreds of limited releases expected to land on shelves. The first wave of titles has now been announced, and there’s already plenty worth setting an alarm for. This year also continues Record Store Day’s partnership with War Child UK, meaning £1 from every copy of selected releases will go towards supporting children affected by conflict around the world.

Adelaide, AU | First Look: Jewels of Thought Records brings hi-fi, natural-wine, and coffee to Adelaide’s East End. A new kind of record store is opening on Ebenezer Place this week, and it’s designed to be about far more than flipping through crates (although we love that too). Jewels of Thought Records is the latest venture from husband-and-wife team Anthony Wendt and Linh Tieu, bringing together high fidelity audio, pour over coffee and unique teas, natural wine, and Adelaide’s vibrant music scene. After all, Adelaide is Australia’s only UNESCO City of Music. Jewels of Thought Records opens its doors at 15 Ebenezer Place, on Thursday February 12 from 10am to 8pm. There will be coffee pouring, crates of deep cuts to flick through, and music in the air.

Richmond, VA | New romantic comedy play opens at Plan 9 Music: A new romantic comedy play is running at Plan 9 Music in Carytown this month for those still seeking Valentine’s Day plans. “Love and Vinyl” follows lifelong friends during a late night stop at their favorite record shop. When they meet the shop’s owner, the night becomes more than just a casual visit. The play explores the search for real connection in a digital world with humor and nostalgia. “There is a reason that we watch romantic comedies. It’s because we get to chill, we get to relax with generally really nice people who are not you know, these consequences are not dire. There is a very specific formula and in my play I address that formula,” said the play’s writer Bob Bartlett. Love and Vinyl runs until Sunday, Feb. 22.

Philadelphia, PA | Four Philadelphia record stores to expand or start your record collection: Even in the age of music streaming platforms, the resurgence of physical media like vinyl records, CDs and cassette tapes might come as a surprise for some. For others, physical media has never left and symbolizes a resistance within consumer behavior. Philadelphia is known for its record stores everywhere around the city, from recently opened stores like Latchkey to well-known classics like Repo Records. Each record store serves as a hub for music listeners to build community and share their music taste with one another. Whether you want to start collecting records or expand your collection, here’s a list of four record stores worth the exploration.

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‘I Didn’t Want to Own It’: How Record Store Day’s Co-founder Rejected the Business Model: RSD co-founder Michael Kurtz reveals how meditation, Metallica, and saying no to profit helped indie stores capture 40% of vinyl sales. Since Record Store Day’s debut in April 2008, its annual celebration of vinyl and the culture of independently owned record stores has only grown wilder: from its start in the U.S. to becoming an international event; from being held one day in April to the inclusion of a second event on Black Friday; from hosting 25 artists at its start to 350+ artists in 2026—all of which signal a juggernaut of sales and influence that reawakened the long-sleeping vinyl market. …When the hotly-anticipated (at least, for vinyl nerds and crate diggers) list dropped on Wednesday for 2026’s April 18 date, SPIN’s A.D. Amorosi spoke to Kurtz about the business of being RSD.

Louisville, KY | Longtime Record Store Owner Hosts Popular Radio Show: Depending on where you began your journey along Bardstown Road and how far you went, you almost certainly followed a path of shops that included The Great Escape and Electric Ladyland. But a trek wasn’t complete without perusing the latest albums and CDs at ear-X-tacy.Customers looking at merchandise at ear X – Tacy John Timmons, who founded the store, didn’t intend to create an iconic place that anchors thousands of people’s good memories. He would probably be the first to tell you he didn’t have a plan at all. Although he was born in Evansville, Indiana, his family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where John spent much of his childhood. During those years, he listened to a lot of music—either 45 rpm records or a transistor radio that was in his hands wherever he went.

Las Vegas, NV | The unexpected comeback of vinyl in the digital age: Walk into any record store in Las Vegas right now and you’ll see something wild. Teenagers who’ve never owned a CD player are flipping through crates of used vinyl. Gen Z kids with AirPods dangling from their ears are debating the merits of first pressings versus reissues. In a world where we can summon any song ever recorded with a voice command, people are choosing to buy big, heavy discs that require an entirely separate piece of furniture to play. Let’s be real, this shouldn’t make sense. Yet here we are, living through vinyl’s most profitable era since the 1980s. …Las Vegas retailers have noticed the shift big time. Zia Records on Eastern Avenue reports that vinyl now accounts for nearly half their total sales.

Denver, CO | After James Acaster Hyped Visit on Late Night, Denver Record Store Acted Fast to Welcome ‘Hundreds.’ James Acaster’s decision to “hijack” his chat with Seth Meyers to promote a record store appearance paid off. Acaster’s recent visit to Late Night saw him repeatedly refer to a February 8 Q&A event at Wax Trax Records in Denver, where he would discuss his musical project Temps with one of his collaborators, Kalyn Heffernan of Wheelchair Sports Camp. As a result, Wax Trax was swarmed by “hundreds” of visitors to see the English comedian on Sunday. On Late Night with Seth Meyers, Acaster dilligently delivered a slew of pitches for the event, all as Meyers tried to talk about a trip he’d taken to London. (Acaster hails from Kettering, Northamptonshire, England.) “Wax Trax. Denver, Colorado. Eighth of February,” Acaster interrupted. “Half one. 1:30… Wax Tax record store. I’m doing a Q&A.”

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Toledo, OH | Viral for Vinyl: Local record stores share 2025 numbers, 2026 predictions. These days, the question isn’t if a hot new release will hit vinyl. It’s when. “This is the format that is speaking and has been speaking loudly for a couple decades,” said Tim Friedman, owner and manager of downtown’s Culture Clash Records. “Everything is released on vinyl.” …Friedman connects Culture Clash’s listening party events with their best-selling albums of 2025—including all three of their top sellers. “Most people came to listen to an album together. Some came to buy something. Some did anyway when they were here, and we thank them for that, but what we like most is helping gather people together to share in the experience of music,” Friedman said.

Beverly, IL | Beverly Phono Mart Opens Pop-Up Record Shop While It Recovers From New Year’s Crash: After a month of operating virtually, the Beverly record store has opened a pop-up shop just a few doors down from the business’s storefront that was damaged in a New Year’s Day car crash. A record store in Beverly has reopened via a temporary pop-up shop while the business continues to recover from a New Year’s Day car crash that damaged its storefront. Chantala Kommanivanh and Mallory McClaire, owners of Beverly Phono Mart, opened a pop-up shop Friday at 1802 W. 103rd St., only two doors down from their store’s original location. The pop-up, BPM Express, will allow shoppers a place to sift through a variety of vinyl. “We wanted to have a physical space for people to pick things up and to let people shop in store,” McClaire said. “Shopping for records is a hands-on experience…”

Watertown, SD | The Groove Shop Is Finding Its Rhythm In Downtown Watertown: The Groove Shop in downtown Watertown is striking a chord with music lovers, since opening its doors just a few months ago in November. Owner Shawn Lenning, a lifelong musician and music lover, said the idea for the store came from conversations with others in the community who shared his passion for music. Lenning saw a need in the community and decided to take the leap and open a shop of his own. The Groove Shop focuses mostly on classic rock and pop albums, offering a wide variety for collectors and casual listeners alike. Shawn has gathered an assortment of vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, and even 8-tracks.

AU | There’s a massive reason to skip streaming and visit record stores in April: Record Store Day Australia returns on 18 April with a stacked first batch of local vinyl releases. Empire of the Sun, Spacey Jane, Kee’ahn, Holy Holy, Crooked Colours, Ruel, Bluey and Kutcha Edwards with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra all feature in the 2026 lineup, celebrating independent record stores across the country. Record Store Day underscores the tangible benefits of physical music retail over digital alternatives—human-driven discovery, intentional listening experiences and community support for artist development. These physical spaces facilitate intergenerational connections, from first-time vinyl buyers to seasoned collectors sharing knowledge.

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Vancouver, CA | Vancouver’s indie Neptoon Records celebrates 45 years of spinning fresh sounds: Main Street records store has seen its fair share of major music moments over the years. Rob Frith started Neptoon Records in a storefront on Fraser Street near 41st Avenue in 1981. In 2000, he relocated to 3561 Main St. The instantly recognizable bright green building once housed the free Museum of Exotic World, an eccentric collection of postcards, posters, collectibles and kitsch. These days, Neptoon Records continues the tradition as it is also packed to the rafters with rare collectibles, posters, postcards, vinyl albums, CDs, cassettes and even 8-track cartridges. As the company prepares to celebrate its 45th anniversary with a sold-out anniversary party at the Rickshaw Theatre [Feb. 8], Frith and his son Ben are looking back at a life in music retail.

Clifton, UK | Beloved Keynsham record store opens at new site in Clifton—first look inside: Photos show what music lovers can find in the new store. A beloved record store has made the move from Keynsham to Clifton, opening the doors to its brand new home at Clifton Arcade on Saturday (January 31). Speaking with BristolLive during a visit to the new location on Boyces Avenue this week Iain Aitchison, who founded Longwell Records back in 2015, said that the shop’s first few days open in Clifton had been a mix of emotions. He said: “I’m loving it. I feel a little bit of heartbreak leaving Keynsham, but who wouldn’t want to come to the Clifton Arcade? It’s a wicked location, loads of wonderful people, got ‘Reg the Veg’ over the way, Primrose Cafe for cups of tea. It’s good!”

Portland, OR | Owner of Pacific Northwest’s oldest record store seeks ‘right person’ to acquire shop: The longtime owner of the Pacific Northwest’s oldest record store is seeking someone to usher the cherished business into its next era. Terry Currier has launched the search for Music Millennium’s new owner. In an interview on Tuesday, the 70-year-old Portlander told KOIN 6 he is hoping to find someone passionate about maintaining the shop he has worked at for six days a week over the past 42 years. “I’ve never felt old, and I still don’t feel old, but when you hit 70, you start thinking of mortality a little bit,” Currier said. “I’ve had several friends who’ve had really great independent stores in other cities that have retired and sold their business. And I go, ‘Maybe it’s something I should think about.’”

Vancouver, CA | Downtown business attuned to customers seeking vintage tone: Beauty is in the ear and eye of the beholder at a shop in downtown Nanaimo, where people are finding a revived appreciation for music from vintage formats and equipment. Sound Heritage on Victoria Crescent, founded in 1986 and under new owner Nathan Randall since 2022, has ‘found its groove,’ so to speak, with the revival of vinyl records, but more recently with the rising wave of enthusiasm for vintage home audio equipment from the 1960s to mid ‘90s. “I think, actually when Nathan took over the business, he was at the cusp of it just beginning to really popularize,” said Simon Schachner, assistant manager. “There’s been a pretty steady rise in the interest in vinyl, but I think Nathan saw what was coming…”

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Why a Vinyl Turntable Is the Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift in 2026: Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and everyone is thinking about the perfect way to show their love. While flowers and chocolates are timeless, they can feel temporary. What if your gift could create lasting memories, shared experiences, and a romantic atmosphere that truly resonates? Enter the vinyl turntable—a classic yet modern way to connect through music. In 2026, these devices aren’t just for audiophiles; they’re becoming the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift for anyone who wants to combine romance, style, and emotional connection.

Iowa City, IA | UI alum opens new record store in North Liberty: Zig Zog’s Records is set to open Feb. 7 and boasts a diverse collection of vinyl and CDs. Tucked away in the back of an unmarked commercial unit off Ranshaw Way in North Liberty, Isaac Smith sat among boxes of records and CDs, combing through his collection and pricing each item. With less than a week left, he had a laundry list of tasks to prepare for the grand opening of his record store, Zig Zog’s Records, on Feb 7. …After a decade of selling his records without a permanent location and using the funds to pay for college, it seemed like the next logical step to open his own record store after graduating from the University of Iowa in 2024.

Portland, OR | Music Millennium selling as legendary owner Terry Currier set to retire: Music Millennium’s Terry Currier revealed in an email to customers Tuesday that he’ll retire and look to sell the store. This story comes from the Portland Business Journal, a KGW News partner. Music Millennium’s Terry Currier revealed in an email to customers Tuesday and on Instagram that he’ll retire and look to sell the store, a key part of the East Burnside business district. …The business opened March 15, 1969. Currier, a member of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, is known as a tireless arts advocate who’s a highly influential figure among music stores nationally. He started the National Coalition of Independent Record Stores in 1995: That group played a critical role in starting Record Store Day in 2007.

UK | Holly Humberstone announces Brighton date at Chalk: Holly Humberstone has announced a run of intimate record store dates. The BRIT Award winner will perform at Chalk in Brighton on March 25, in partnership with Resident Music, as part of a run of intimate record store dates to celebrate the release of her second album, Cruel World. …Humberstone said: “The record explores love as beautiful and inherently painful. “In To Love Somebody I wanted to capture that contradiction: to love somebody is to hurt somebody and to lose somebody, well at least you got to love somebody. “In order to feel extreme happiness, you have to know extreme sadness. That’s the tension of the record.”

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US | Record Store Day 2026 Lineup: Vinyl Exclusives From Pink Floyd, ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ Bruce Springsteen, Katseye, Bruno Mars, Tom Petty, the ‘Wicked’ Cast and 350 More. What do you get when you combine Pink Floyd with Katseye? No, not pink-eye… you get the wild-ranging roster for Record Store Day 2026. The full lineup of exclusive releases, mostly but not entirely in the vinyl format, includes more than 350 titles that will be offered only in independent record shops on April 18, certain to be the biggest record retail day of the year.

UK | Record Store Day 2026: Check out the full list of releases. Fans can expect collectible and limited-edition records from the likes of Charli xcx (a “Party 4U” 7″); Ethel Cain, releasing the Inbred EP onto 12″ vinyl (bootlegs aside) for the first time; a double vinyl reissue of Paramore’s debut album All We Know Is Falling, and there’s a 7″ with a ‘new song’ from Lucy Dacus. Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Disco Darling” – an unreleased song from her 2017 Dedicated album – is being pressed onto 7″ while Pavement’s 1991 Perfect Sound Forever EP is getting a 10″ reissue; there’s vinyl debuts for Dijon’s How Do You Feel About Getting EP and Madonna’s Confessions Tour Live; rare rough mixes from Slint’s final untitled EP by the late producer Steve Albini, and many, many more.

Hanover, NH | The Records Store Icon: One writer explores a Hanover store and the owner that’s made it a third space. Every first-year Dartmouth student inevitably runs late to a Molly’s dinner by discovering the records store on Main Street. Time easily flies by as they get lost in the various pop artist prints, Dr. Seuss stickers and old 90s records. The rpmNH Records and Posters store’s owner is a man who wears many hats: storyteller, geologist, artist and longtime resident of Hanover, Brian Smith. The shop initially started off selling hundreds of DVDs weekly in the fall of 2003. By 2010, DVD and CD sales were dropping, which led Smith to expand to selling records and posters. He has designed items unique to the store, such as making the “Welcome” signs for every incoming class to display in local town shops.

Portland, OR | Terry Currier Announces Plans to Sell Music Millennium: The owner of the storied East Burnside retailer says he’ll work with the new owner during a transitional period. Terry Currier, who has owned and operated Music Millennium for 42 years, is looking for a successor. In a message shared on Music Millennium’s social media accounts Tuesday, Currier wrote that he is looking to sell the store and possibly the building—or to sell the business separately and execute a long-term lease with the new owner. “Rest assured, I’m good with working with the future owner during a transitional period, educating them on just how we make Music Millennium tick,” Currier wrote. He also noted that developers have approached him about buying the building, which sits on East Burnside Street at the edge of the Laurelhurst neighborhood, and he’s turned them all down.

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Liverpool, UK | Iconic Liverpool shop unearths new Beatles history: New information came to light thanks to a biography written by the man often referred to as the ‘secret Beatle.’ A family-run record shop that has been in business for almost 80 years has uncovered a new piece of Beatles history. The Musical Box on West Derby Road in Tuebrook, is believed to be the oldest independent record shop in England. Staff said they recently discovered evidence that The Beatles manager Brian Epstein used to visit the shop to buy records during the early 1960s. The revelation came after the family learned that Epstein, alongside friend and former Beatles booking agent Joe Flannery, regularly visited the shop to buy records that were not available at Epstein’s own store, NEMS.

Richmond, VA | Records and Romance: Art imitates life in a Cadence theater production at Plan 9 Music. What better setting for a play about record collectors than an actual record store? And few record stores could be more fitting than Plan 9, the venerable Richmond music hub located in Carytown. It’s where Cadence theater company will stage its production of “Love & Vinyl” Feb. 6-22. Bob Bartlett, a Washington, D.C.-based playwright, is no stranger to real-world productions—he notably set a Frankenstein story at Congressional Cemetery. Cadence, an innovative and community-centric company that typically mounts plays at the Firehouse Theatre or the Dominion Energy Center’s stages, has the unique challenge of fitting three actors and an audience between long rows of record bins.

Tulsa, OK | Starship Records & Tapes is closing; Here’s its impact and history. Learn how this historic Green Country record shop influenced generations of Tulsans, and one particular writer as well. The first thing you notice as you push open the door is the pungent smell of incense. Before your nose can adjust, your ears are hit with the sound of a rock song — playing loudly. At 4:34 p.m. Jan. 29, that one-two punch included David Bowie midway through “Ziggy Stardust,” followed by Jimi Hendrix’s “Highway Chile.” Thousands of customers have walked through Starship Records & Tapes over the last five decades, sharing more or less the same experience even as music—and the ways we listen to it—has transformed. Now, with less than 20 hours of operation remaining, the last generation of Starship loyalists is here to experience the magic.

Hagerstown, MD | Tinsley Ellis celebrates new album with Hub City Vinyl show: Tinsley Ellis will debut his new Alligator Records album Labor Of Love on Jan. 30 and celebrate with a solo acoustic show at Hub City Vinyl in Hagerstown at 8 p.m. Feb. 13, according to a community announcement. The record is Ellis’ second acoustic album and his first built entirely from original songs, following his 2024 Blues Music Award-nominated Naked Truth, the announcement says. Across 13 tracks, Ellis leans into spare, emotionally direct performances that explore floods, fires, voodoo spirits and personal upheaval. The announcement describes the music as finding “good times in the hard times,” keeping the focus on Ellis’ voice and guitar.

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CA | A New Generation of Vinyl Buyers Has Arrived—So Why Are We Still Targeting Gen X? Honeymoon Suite are the latest in a long line of Record Store Day Canada ambassadors to court an older demographic. I got my record player in the summer of 2008. I can pinpoint the date almost exactly, because my first record was Wolf Parade’s then-new At Mount Zoomer, which came out in June of that year. …In the 18 years since then, there have been various reports that the bubble might be about to burst. As early as 2010, there have been doom-y accounts of vinyl sales slowing down, with inevitable comparisons to the collapse of the sports card trend in the mid-’90s. In 2024, reports suggested that vinyl sales had collapsed by a third—but it turned out that the data firm Luminate had simply changed its methodology, and that sales were actually up.

Austin, IL | New Sound Cafe In Austin Channels The Legacy Of Iconic 1970s Gospel Record Store: The coffee shop opened in the same building that housed New Sound Gospel Records and Tapes until it closed over 20 years ago—and it includes many nods to the gospel store’s heyday. Customers walking into New Sound Cafe in Austin take a step back in time, where the roast of the day is paired with the sounds of Mahalia Jackson, The Soul Stirrers, James Cleveland and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. This coffee shop at 5958 W. Lake St. opened in November and is steeped in decades of gospel history—it resides in a building that was home to New Sound Gospel Records and Tapes, which closed over 20 years ago. Classic records adorn the walls of its main floor while a decades-old organ and original storefront sign can be found upstairs.

Hitchin, UK | Opening date confirmed for JP’s Records in Hitchin: The opening date for a much-anticipated new record shop in Hitchin has been confirmed. JP’s Records is opening in the basement of Ronan’s Coffee at 50a Walsworth Road, with work taking place for the last few weeks to get the store ready. Owner Jack Perry has confirmed an opening date of Saturday, February 7, and he is excited to welcome customers for the first time. “It’s been very fun getting the shop ready – except for building flat pack parts—and I’m super excited to open on February 7,” he said. “I can’t wait to show everyone what I’ve been working on.” JP’s Records will be open from 10am to 4pm every Wednesday to Saturday, with Jack previously telling the Comet he hopes the store is somewhere people can “lose themselves in music.”

Cottonwood, AZ | Queen B Vinyl Café to Host Sold-Out Puscifer Album Listening Parties Feb. 5-8 In Cottonwood: Queen B Vinyl Café will celebrate the release of Normal Isn’t, the new album from Puscifer, the band led by co-owner and Grammy Award-winning musician Maynard James Keenan. On Feb. 5 at 11 p.m., the café is hosting a sold-out advance listening party and early screening of Puscifer’s concert film, Normal Isn’t: Puscifer Live at the Pacific Stock Exchange, in advance of its Feb. 6 release. It will be the first place across the nation to hear the new album. The shop will open to the general public for a midnight sale of the album, and the café side will stay open late with a limited menu for those who weren’t able to get a ticket and want to hang out until midnight.

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Bruno Mars is the 2026 Record Store Day Ambassador: The star will release a compilation album, The Collaborations, on April 18. Lucky for the world, Bruno Mars has officially been named the 2026 Record Store Day ambassador. The news comes as the star is plotting a jam-packed year. Mars kicked off 2026 by announcing his highly-anticipated fourth album The Romantic, his first in a decade. The singer is also heading out on the road for an accompanying world tour. As Record Store Day ambassador, Mars emphasized his special connection to record stores in a video shot at Las Vegas’ Moondog Records shop. “You get the chance to immerse yourself, surround yourself with music,” the star said. “I love being able to physically be surrounded by music. Not just staring at your phone and downloading something or listening to something on your phone, but to actually see all of this beautiful art around you. It inspires me.”

Alexandria, VA | Alexandria’s Crooked Beat Records to Close at End of the Month: The closure comes after nearly 5 inches of water flooded the store earlier this month. fter flooding closed Del Ray’s Crooked Beat Records earlier this month, the record store announced this weekend that it will close its storefront on Saturday, January 31. Owner Bill Daly shared the update over Facebook on Sunday. Crooked Beat Records will be open Thursday through Saturday for last visits before closing. The decision to close comes after Daly was told more extensive repairs would have to be made to the store. But the store won’t be closing for good. Daly’s post also mentioned he is looking for a new location in Del Ray in order to reopen the business. “We really love Del Ray,” said Daly in a recent Facebook video.

CA | Honeymoon Suite tap into vinyl magic as Record Store Day Canada ambassadors: For Honeymoon Suite, vinyl isn’t nostalgia—it’s the foundation. It’s how the band first learned to fall in love with music, long before radio hits and platinum plaques. Now, four decades into a career that helped define mainstream Canadian rock, the Niagara Falls–bred hitmakers are circling back to where it all began, named the official Record Store Day Canada Ambassadors for 2026. To mark the honor, Honeymoon Suite are releasing a Record Store Day–exclusive edition of The Singles, pressed on limited-edition translucent red vinyl and available only at independent record stores across Canada. It’s a greatest-hits collection that reads like a time capsule of arena-ready hooks and fist-pumping choruses, the kind of songs that once blasted from car stereos, MTV and MuchMusic countdowns, and movie soundtracks.

SG | Spin me right round: A music lover’s guide to the city’s best record stores. Listening to music on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Music is definitely great, but nothing quite compares to the thrill of flipping through vinyl crates and stumbling upon a record with a story of its own. Vinyl shopping is as much about the hunt as it is about the music; complete with the artwork and the history pressed into every groove and former owner of the record. From timeless legends like The Beatles to beloved icons such as Teresa Teng, Singapore’s record stores offer a treasure trove for both seasoned collectors and curious newcomers alike. In this guide, we spotlight some of Singapore’s best vinyl spots, each with its own personality and carefully curated selection waiting to be explored.

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