Seven of the Best Record Stores in Adelaide
Record Store Day is less than two weeks away, so we’ve teamed up with six of our favourite record stores to give you the lowdown on what they are about and why you should visit them.
Image by Edu Grande
Crackle & Pop Records
Founded by Mark Cnotek in 2014, Crackle & Pop Records began as a stall at Gilles Street Markets. Arriving at a time when demand for vinyl was on the up, Mark’s side hustle exploded in popularity, with the stall transforming into a mobile pop-up that has since set up digs at pubs, festivals and fairs across the state.
Mark handed the Crackle & Pop Records reins over to Adam and Jack Buckley in 2023. The father-and-son duo have relished the opportunity to continue the founder’s legacy, travelling with the pop-up interstate and, most recently, finding it a permanent home at Adelaide’s latest (and biggest) vintage marketplace, My Dead Grandpa. Now, you’ll find the pair slinging vinyl six days a week year round. Crate-diggers can find must-have records, such as Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Silverchair’s Frogstomp and Bad//Dreems’ Dogs At Bay, stocked in the custom-made set-up. Come for the vinyl; stay for the 50 other vintage vendors at My Dead Grandpa selling classic band tees, jewellery and more.
This Record Store Day, Crackle & Pop and My Dead Grandpa will throw a massive event for the CBD’s vinyl lovers, inviting other collectors such as Scrapdogs and Bruce’s Lips to share their wax-for-sale on April 12.
10–16 Ranelagh Street, Adelaide | Open Tues–Sun, 11am–5pm | @crackleandpoprecords
Rerun Vinyl Records
Rerun Vinyl Records is the essence of what a good independent record store is. Owner John Siviour hasn’t looked back since relocating his store to Renaissance Arcade in 2010. And neither has the city. Seven days a week, you’ll find people digging through the shop’s mind-blowing collection, stocked with the latest releases, hard-to-find vinyl and pre-loved bargains. No wonder members from Fontaines D.C. and Guns N' Roses have visited Adelaide’s vinyl record specialist.
Huge supporters of Record Store Day, Rerun believe the annual event helps independent storefronts survive while allowing vinyl enthusiasts to collect some exclusive RSD wax. For them, it's all about spending the day walking between local record stores and sharing vinyl treasure-finding experiences. This year, the team have decided to go all out for the day’s celebration. Not only will Rerun stock a chunk of RSD international and Australian releases, but the shop will also have special in-store offers, including 25 per cent off their Rare Wall of Vinyl (which includes secondhand vinyl priced at $100 and over), plus limited-edition pressings and unique colour vinyl alternatives. Even better, there’ll be extended trading hours (9am to 6pm) and chances to win exclusive giveaway prizes.
Shop 32 & 35 Renaissance Arcade, 128 Rundle Mall | Open Sat–Thurs, 10am–5pm; Fri, 10am–9pm | @rerunrecordsadl
Vital Solutions Music
For Vital Solutions Music owner Phill Bates, his vinyl store isn’t just a side hustle – it’s an opportunity to share his lifelong passion and eye-watering, genre-crossing collection with Adelaide’s record-collecting community. You’ll find 7000 records and 30,000 CDs here that tick off every genre. Hip-hop, rock, pop, soul, funk, jazz, metal, rap, punk – you name it, Vital Solutions has it. Come with your vinyl bucket list and let Phil dig for your dream record on Saturdays from 10am to 5pm (or by appointment, excluding Sundays). Does your library need a bit of TLC? Vital Solutions also has several CD buffering machines and an ultrasonic record cleaner to restore your collection to its former glory.
3 Ashwin Parade, Torrensville | Open Sat, 10am–5pm or by appointment (excluding Sundays) | facebook.com/vinylrecordsales
Mr V Music
Vic Flierl has been at the forefront of Adelaide’s vinyl resurgence for over 25 years through his beloved brick-and-mortar Mr V Music. The Semaphore shop is a constant in SA’s ever-evolving music scene, selling an impressive range of new and secondhand vinyl that scratches all music itches. Dig through the crates of 45s and find the next crown jewel in your record collection. There are also CDs and music-related merch for sale (think books and DVDs), with Mr V’s staff pick of the week an excellent way to discover new music and special reissues.
115 Semaphore Road, Semaphore | Open Mon–Sun, 10am–6pm | @mrvmusicsemaphore
Clarity Records
Clarity Records filled a record store-shaped hole in the CBD after Big Star Records closed its Rundle Street shop in 2010. Owned and operated by local legends Footy and Laura Horvath, both familiar faces in the local music scene, the store caters to all genres of music, with an emphasis on punk, metal, prog and rock. Vinyl, CDs, band merch, books, zines, DVDs – it’s all here, along with a solid range of secondhand vinyl. Pop-up concerts are also the norm at Clarity, while lines for RSD wind all the way down Pulteney Street. You’ve been warned.
60 Pulteney Street, Adelaide | Open Mon–Thurs, Sat, 10am–6pm; Fri, 10am–9pm; Sun, 12–5pm | @clarityrecordsadelaide
Gordy Boy Records
The new kid on the block, Gordy Boy Records has quickly become a firm favourite with record collectors. Named after owner Ed Rooney’s schnauzer, the store, which has been operating for just under two years, recently underwent a makeover, adding new crates for a greater selection vinyl up for grabs. Find well-priced new releases, a decent selection of pre-loved vinyl and plenty of love for Aussie artists. Ed and his staff are super friendly – they’re always up for a chat about music and happy to recommend a new artist!
Shop 140G, Balcony Level, Adelaide/Gays Arcade, Rundle Mall | Open Mon–Sat, 10am–5pm | @gordyboyrecordsadl
Porch Records
Porch Records is nestled in the heart of creative space and coffee shop Summertown Studio in sunny Somerton Park. A beautifully curated vinyl selection of unique, new records spanning jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop and international groove music from across the globe. Open seven days a week, these cats also put on the most wonderful live shows, a handful of expertly curated nights of world class music featuring international, national and local musicians. Come peruse the collection with a coffee in hand, it's truly a lovely place to be.
13 Paringa Avenue, Somerton Park | Open Mon–Fri, 7:30am–3pm; Sat–Sun, 8am–2pm | @porchrecords
Record Store Day is on April 12. Check out who is participating and what’s up for grabs online.
