Kingston Record Show is today

Although most physical media sales (movies, music, books and newspapers) have taken a beating in recent years, vinyl records have been gaining ground for many years now. They hit a low point in the early 90s when the big record companies said they would no longer be manufacturing vinyl, but as downloads and streaming have become the most popular way to consume music, the audio quality has noticeably dropped. And yet, vinyl sales are stronger than ever. Whether music lovers are buying new editions of classic albums, brand new releases, or thumbing through used albums in a record store, the fact remains that they are buying vinyl by the millions.

Kingstonians will have their chance at a bigger vinyl selection today as Zap Records once again hosts the Kingston Record Show. This event brings together more than two dozen vinyl vendors – some private, some with popular online stores, and some from their own retail locations across southeastern Ontario.

This year’s event also includes Kingston’s Repair Cafe, which is offering to help audiophiles troubleshoot any misbehaving audio equipment.

And it’s not just vinyl that’s for sale, many vendors offer CDs and other musical collectibles.

The Kingston Record Store happens today from 11 am to 4 pm at Princess Street United Church at the corner of Princess Street and Albert Street. Admission before 1 pm is $2, and free after 1 pm. While some vendors accept credit card, many are cash only.