Melbourne has one of the most highly regarded live music scenes in the world. In terms of the quality and number of venues, arguably, it is comparable with cities such as Austin. Hundreds of venues throughout Melbourne host live music, some of which host live music every night of the week.
The city's enthusiasm for live music is equally matched in its appreciation of vinyl records. The past 10 years especially have seen a resurgence in the amount of new and secondhand record shops throughout the city.
Dr Spin's even has a resident dog - who is always friendly to greet you at the door!
One of the pioneers of this resurgence is The Searchers in Fitzroy. Opened in 2008, it's become an icon on the secondhand music scene. The shop regularly hosts incredible sales featuring live music and is also a hub for festival goers - musos camp out here for days in advance of ticket sale date for Meredith Music Festival.
Other northside favourites include Rathdowne Records in Northcote, Skydiver in Collingwood and Hub 301 in Abbotsford.
A personal favourite for me is Dutch Vinyl in Abbotsford. A fairly new addition to the scene, it's a great atmosphere full of vibes. Whereas most record shops go for the old and grungy aesthetic, Dutch Vinyl keeps it clean and mid-century modern with a comfy sofa to chill out on and some beautiful custom made wooden racks for the goods. There's also a great selection of music books and literature - all around fantastic vibes for relaxing and soaking it all in.
The list would be incomplete without mentioning Alley Tunes in Hawthorn - part record shop and part cafe, it's a winning combination. Specialising in techno and electronic music, these guys have been around since the early 90s. Right under the Glenferrie Road train station, these guys cater to the student crowd with relaxed vibes and a homey feel.
