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Christmas Gift Ideas for the Vinyl Lover in Your Life
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MOST of us will have our Christmas hopping sorted…
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but there are going to be some who will be out of ideas or need an extra gift for the music lover in their life. Whilst many will be buying specific albums or Amazon vouchers, I think there are plenty of options out there where one can show a bit more innovation and variation. There is nothing wrong with something like an Amazon voucher, but there are a range of great gift ideas that would perfectly suit vinyl lovers. Whilst it may seem tempting to ask a recipient what they want and buying that, I think the element of surprise is also nice. Just adding an extra gift or pushing the boat out is wonderful. Vinyl sales continue to grow. Maybe it is because of a wave of new artists that are prompting people to buy more albums, a lot of great reissues and special re-releases or people not wanting to rely on streaming services and digital music – needed the tactility of a record and the sort of sound you can only get from vinyl. The market is in a very good place at the moment:
“Sales of vinyl records have enjoyed constant growth in recent years. At the same time, CD sales are in a nosedive. Last year, the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) mid-year report suggested that CD sales were declining three times as fast as vinyl sales were growing. In February, the RIAA reported that vinyl sales accounted for more than a third of the revenue coming from physical releases.
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This trend continues in RIAA’s 2019 mid-year report, which came out on Thursday. Vinyl records earned $224.1 million (on 8.6 million units) in the first half of 2019, closing in on the $247.9 million (on 18.6 million units) generated by CD sales. Vinyl revenue grew by 12.8% in the second half of 2018 and 12.9% in the first six months of 2019, while the revenue from CDs barely budged. If these trends hold, records will soon be generating more money than compact discs.
Despite vinyl’s growth, streaming still dominates the music industry — records accounted for just 4 percent of total revenues in the first half of 2019. In contrast, paid subscriptions to streaming services generated 62 percent of industry revenues.
What do you get a vinyl lover, then? It can always be a bit risky buying records for someone out of the blue; maybe taking a punt or trying to steer their tastes. This year has seen so many great vinyl reissues that are worth seeking out. Sites like Vinyl Factory and Pitchfork who give great guidance. The great thing about reissues is that you get some rarities and unheard songs that maybe didn’t come with the initial release. Not only have there been some great reissues this year; some iconic albums have celebrated anniversaries and have special editions out. The Clash’s London Calling is forty on 14th December, and there is a fortieth anniversary release that will thrill fans of The Clash and those new to their work.
The Beatles’ Abbey Road turned fifty earlier in the year, and there are some wonderful anniversary releases worth some spending! The Rolling Stones’ Let it Bleed is fifty, so there is a pretty hefty anniversary release one can buy. Whilst these options might seem expensive, I think reissues and anniversary releases are investments; they are records that will live for years and can be passed down through the generations. Not only is it the records themselves that make great gifts; there are accessories and hardware that are must-haves for those who love vinyl. Articles such as this one from Gear Hungry and this from Pitchfork highlight some great tech and gear that will make excellent Christmas presents. If you know someone whose turntables and record players could do with some upgrading or replacing, there are options for every budget. Sound quality is a very important consideration, so buying a record player that is affordable and ticks all the boxes can cause a headache. There are some helpful articles that can make the decision easier. Now that you have some good tips regarding tech, record players and some great reissues/re-releases, you might need a few more guides regarding the records themselves. You can see the best-selling vinyl this year and there are some classics in there that are well worth buying. If you are going full-out and buying someone a record player, speakers and vinyl as a package or just purchasing a record or two, you might want to consider vinyl subscriptions.
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This is more personal than, say, an Amazon voucher and there are loads of options. There are articles like this that compile the best vinyl subscription services, but I would recommend The Retro and Wax & Stamp. Again, it can be a little pricey buying someone a subscription, but it takes the pressure off buying particular albums or guessing; it also means your vinyl-loving recipient will have their horizons opened and will be in very good hands when it comes to recommendations. No matter what genre they love, there is a subscription that will suit them. Even the most ardent vinyl fan might not buy as much as they should or be unable to keep abreast of the market. Subscriptions mean that they will have receive a new record on a semi-regular basis and keep that passion alight. Maybe, as we are near Christmas, you just need ideas for particular albums; perhaps you want more of a package or are interest in buying a good record player as opposed records. I think it can be difficult buying for music fans, but if you know someone who is really into vinyl, above are some suggestions to get you started. I hope my feature has helped in some way and, come Christmas Day, the record lover in your life finds…
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AN extra treat under the tree.