Whether you’re shopping for festive gifts or just want to treat yourself for getting through however many years it has been since the end of March, why not add in some goodwill to your favourite independent record shops and venues? As well as music and tickets (and do take a punt on gig tickets if you can afford it to help keep your local music scene afloat), there’s a whole bunch of merch available that looks great and is practical too. Here are some ideas from just a few of our favourite places; there are loads more options in store, by collection or online, and if we want to see our top choice shops and venues packed again like in the image above, they really need our support right now…

Grab a cool T for all the family, including the little ones, from Resident, Brighton’s vinyl emporium.

Keep your records sweet with a slipmat from Dig Vinyl in Liverpool.

Something for everyone here from a trio of top venues with a starry reusable cup from Barrowland, Glasgow, a trusty tote bag from Portsmouth’s Wedgewood Rooms and a fierce face mask from The Hope and Ruin, Brighton.

Wrap up warm with a cosy hat from Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl.

Finish up feeling hunky dory when you complete a classic album jigsaw from Crash Records in Leeds.

Take a look and give Santa a nudge in the right direction; buying direct from your favourite artists is great too. And feel free to let us know others you recommend to add to the list – happy shopping!

Words and header image © Siobhan
All merch images from venue/shop websites as linked in feature

3rd December 2020