Celebrating Record Store Day 2025 in Wales

It was a statue in Aberdare, South Wales, that gave me an idea for my book, Wales: 100 Records. The statue is of a Welsh musician you might or might not have heard of; Caradog, conductor of the Côr Mawr (the Big Choir) which won the prestigious Challenge Cup in Crystal Palace in 1872. It brought 500 voices together, and there was celebrating in the streets when he brought the cup back from London. Beneath him, etched into the pavement, are the words ‘All Wales is a Land of Song’.

This got me thinking about which records tell the tale of Wales in musical form? I have received so much of my education through music. Reference points in songs, words and local lingo in various tracks, geographical references and a songwriters quirks are things I have always held on to and cherished. When two late greats of Welsh music who have David R Edwards of Datblygu sings of Cardigan, or the late Geraint Jarman takes us through song to the narrow streets of Pontcanna in Cardiff, the sense of location is an essential part of the song.

When I visit a new town or city, the first port of call is always a record shop, a place full of familiar things, desirable objects with logos and pictures and images on the sleeves you might recognise, but they’re also full of so much discovery and possibilities. I study the posters on the all to see what’s happening locally, look out for the recommendations from the shop staff, and have discovered so many wonderful records in them. And every record shop is as unique as the location they’re found in.

They can be communal spaces. I first met Kelly Lee Owens, the dance producer from Flintshire, in a record shop she was working in London. It was a record shop that gave her the confidence to put her music out in the world, becoming a part of a nurturing and welcoming community of music makers, before going on to tour the world and make a name for herself with an exceptional sound.

I have pretty much holidayed exclusively in Wales during my adult life. A meander through the streets of Tenby was greatly enhanced by discovering Dale’s Music, a shop of musical oddities and trinkets in the middle of the town, coupled with an ice cream from down the road. In Llanelli town centre, The Second 45 sells a great selection of vinyl, and a wander through Wrexham’s fantastic Ty Pawb isn’t complete without a top in the charming ReVibed Records, before or after a delicious curry from the curry spot.

There are few record shops that have as legendary a status as Cob Records in Porthmadog. Opening in 1967, it has sold every format of music since, in the shop and through it’s popular mail order service. There was a club night run in the basement in the early 70’s, and a jukebox of records that would attract music fans of an afternoon. Today the walls of used vinyl, CDs and cassettes are breathtaking to see, and there’s always treasures to be found. I once bumped into 6 Music DJ Marc Riley in the shop during the nearby Festival No.6 in Portmeirion, lost deep in a crate of vinyl. It’s a place full of history, each record with its own story, but the shop itself is a historic temple.

Further south in Aberystwyth, that seaside town with Aber University and impressive National Library of Wales, Andy’s Records has been selling new music to the mix of students, locals and tourists for decades. It was here I first heard music local to Aberystwyth; Radio Luxembourg, Murry the Hump and The Crocketts. Today they proudly sell records of all genres, and by local artists like Georgia Ruth, an award winning musician, novelist and broadcaster. Ynys are another local success story, often played on BBC 6 Music, and Mellt who sing about their youth in the town and the wider Ceredigion, amongst other lyrical topics.

Spillers Records in Cardiff has the title of the Oldest Record Shop in The World, having opened in its original location in 1894. Imagine having to explain to the sheet and shellac music customers back then what streaming is. Concentrating on new vinyl and CDs, all your alternative music needs are met here, with a friendly ordering service used by regulars and those visiting, intrigued by the impressive title and its long standing place in Welsh history. They have instores and stock a wide range of new records produced by Welsh artists, from the classics (there’s a great Tom Jones cut out in the corner of the shop) to local labels Bubblewrap and Libertino’s latest releases. They celebrate Record Store Day and are part of the Dinked network, selling limited runs of vinyl to fans and you’ll always find the essential new releases there.

Tangled Parrot is not only a great name, but also the biggest of the Welsh record shops, having three branches across south Wales. Opening originally in Carmarthen, then in Swansea and now also in Hay-on-Wye, the shop’s keen ear for new music of all genres has made a name for itself with curious customers browsing its impressive racks. The Swansea location, a short walk from the train station, has a wonderful cafe in it, and the Carmarthen location is above the Cwrw venue, open day and night and a platform for live music. The Hay shop is on oddity in the town of books; a welcome collection of circular essentials in a town of pages and ink.

To celebrate Record Store Day in Wales, visit any of the independent record stores taking part in the festivities:

NORTH WALES

Cob Records (Porthmadog)

The Definitely Maybe (Pwllheli)

ReVibed Records (Wrexham)

SOUTH WALES

Spillers Records (Cardiff)

Diggers Club Records (Cardiff)

Diverse Vinyl (Newport)

The Vault Collective (Ebbw Vale)

Grinning Soul Records (Monmouth)

MID WALES