Vinyl outsells CDs in the UK for the first time in 35 years

sszecret

Senior Member
Jul 19, 2020
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Vinyl sales in 2022 topped CDs in the UK for the first time in 35 years.

A year on from hitting a 30-year high, UK record sales hit £116.8 million in 2022, next to to CD sales of £98.3 million – almost 16% more. It's the first time record sales have exceeded those of CD sales in the UK since 1988.
Source

I debated where to place this thread, but I think this would be the best section. I knew there was a bit growth in vinyl releases in recent years, but I didn't imagine it was quite this dramatic.

It would be worth going into why folks have decided to return to the format in quite big numbers.
For me, being more of a n00b, the appeal of the 12 inch comes down to the larger artwork and the wish to own a physical representation of the music I like. Digital is no doubt more convenient overall, but for a select few - which at this point is starting to not really be so few - I like having the physical media.
 
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Hoplite

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Jun 1, 2021
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For me it's the added attachment of owning a physical copy of my music. Also, dj-ing, its honestly so fun digging through a record crate during your set, also a lot of my material is vinyl only. But those are just my personal reasons.
 

Julian Del Agranda

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Jul 3, 2020
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Well, nobody buys cd's anymore, so I don't think it's that strange...

Vinyl is a bit of a luxury item, with a cool turntable in the living room.

A CD doesn't have that "cozy" feel, the artwork is a bit too small too. Doesn't feel as authentic as the analog disc. Less magic.
 
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Tievb21

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Jul 14, 2020
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Well, nobody buys cd's anymore, so I don't think it's that strange...

Vinyl is a bit of a luxury item, with a cool turntable in the living room.

A CD doesn't have that "cozy" feel, the artwork is a bit too small too. Doesn't feel as authentic as the analog disc. Less magic.

Hey, I still buy CDs :LOL: At least now more than in the past since I have my own income from my job, but sadly I am not able to spend much on music since I am not from a country with high salaries. But I like owning cds, they warm my heart watching them and touching them lol. I prefer compilations or mixed studio albums (not separate Edit tracks), small collection but still all OG ISOS, all City Series by Markus, all EA by Solarstone, and many other like Myths and Legends by SoundLift, Eco, Leon Bolier, Oliver Englafjord etc...... and from the last 2 years Activa & Factor B & Conjure One albums, Magic Island, latest ISOS and Anjuna cds because of the bundle where I got +1 cd from same series super cheap plus a cool quality poster.

Super happy with it, I wish I had more money for such hobby, but I can't spend much even for my web downloads. I know we have small producers in our scene, they need support but I just can't spend much. I use Beatport but not that often.
 
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Progrez

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Jun 17, 2022
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Well, nobody buys cd's anymore, so I don't think it's that strange...

Vinyl is a bit of a luxury item, with a cool turntable in the living room.

A CD doesn't have that "cozy" feel, the artwork is a bit too small too. Doesn't feel as authentic as the analog disc. Less magic.
I still buy CDs too although the last 2 years not so much cos due to financial reasons but hoping for that to change this year.
 
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erickUO

Senior Member
Jul 13, 2020
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If artists can get $$$ from releasing vinyl then it's nice. But since I live on the other side of the planet, I can never justify the shipping fee for both CD or Vinyl.
They're way more expensive than the record itself. Also, the delivery usually took 2-3 months. Not convenient at all.
 
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Motion

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May 18, 2021
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I remember recently Jack White (White Stripes) making a small video plea to the major labels to reopen their vinyl pressing factories and services. It would appear to be a smart move for them although one has to wonder if the shift in popular music direction has really changed the audience. I’m not sure Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa or Ed Sheeran fans are owning record players and buying vinyl. So many more high quality artists in the mainstream sphere two to three decades ago, I bought plenty of vinyl whose CD albums were also platinum. Do the major labels really have the incentive based on their target segments.

It’s great vinyl is so popular again regardless. The sound is amazing and having the physical copy in the hand is satisfying
 
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May 4, 2022
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I wouldn’t be so sure about it not being for the popular music scene. The article says that Abba and Adele were two of the biggest sellers!

It also say the most viny sales in last 3 decades…. Guess that means it’s outperforming the 90s? That’s quite the effort. Very surprising actually. Maybe because record players themselves are cheaper, and also online distribution, despite it’s issues, out performs when we had to actually walk into the closest record store to sift through and buy them.
 
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Motion

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May 18, 2021
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You're right, I didn't see that point made in the article about Adele and Abba being best sellers. However Abba is an older crowd and Adele also older, but also a sensation across generations, she is relatively unique. I see pop music that's targeted at younger audiences (the majority?) to not be as tuned in to vinyl and therefore there might be some hesitation from the major labels to start reinvesting again.