Industry news & advice blog

Got a solid fanbase, made a demo and want to get it heard? Convincing a local record shop to stock it could make all the difference.

Don’t bother with HMV (it just isn’t happening…); try one of these fine establishments instead.
 
1. Piccadilly Records
53 Oldham Street
M1 1JR
www.piccadillyrecords.com
 
Still the best record shop in Manchester, and still stocking unsigned material on a sale-or-return basis. Take your chance to be play your own part in the Piccadilly Records legend.
 

2. Vinyl Exchange
67 Bridge Street
M3 3BQ
www.vinylexchange.co.uk
 
Vinyl exchange will take your demos on a sale-or-return basis. Just don’t get distracted by those reams and reams the second-hand goodies while you’re in there, or your profits will be gone before you even start.
 
 
3. Vinyl Revival
5 Hilton Street
M4 1LP
www.vinylrevivalmcr.com
 
Despite ressembling the record shop from High Fidelity, you’ll receive a more friendly welcome here than you would from Rob and co; they’ll stock your demo on a sale-or-return basis if they like what they hear.
 
 
4. Sifters Records
177 Fog Lane
Didsbury
M20 6FJ
 
We have to admit that this one’s made it into to top 5 mainly because of the Oasis association, but how cool would I be to say that your record was sitting amongst the racks that the Gallagher brothers used to browse?
 
 
5. Eastern Bloc Records
Oldham Street
M1 1JQ
 
Stocking mainly drum & bass, house and techno on vinyl only, this is your best bet if these genres are your thing, but be warned: you’ll have to impress them with your on-record handiwork before they’ll give you rack space.
 
 
For more info on any of these record shops, take a look at your copy of The Unsigned Guide or by logging onto the online directory.