'Vinyl's actually better': Manitoba Music and Record Sale returns
Throngs of physical media collectors descended on the Caboto Centre Sunday afternoon for the 2023 Manitoba Music and Record Sale.
Show chairman Vic Gaggini estimated there were more than 50,000 records for sale at the event, "We have 70 vendors and 91 tables. There's been over 500 people already here and the days only started," he said.
Gaggini said the appearance of actual rock stars was a big draw for the music show. "The arrival of Streetheart makes a big difference, there's a lot of people who came just for that."
Members of the Winnipeg-based rock band were signing autographs at the event. "They gave us 350 records to give away and they were scooped up in 15-20 minutes," said Gaggini.
The show ran from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday, attendees paid $5 to get in. Gaggini said vinyl has never been more popular among physical media collectors.
"They’ve discovered that vinyl's actually better. The sound quality is more musical," said Gaggini. "You take an album, and you've got beautiful artwork on it … you’ve got a record inside it, you can feel it, touch it, you can read liner notes, you can read lyrics. You can't do that with a CD."
In 2022, record sales exceeded compact disc sales for the first time ever.
Gaggini said the audio cassette tape is also making a comeback. "The cassette is back! That one I can't explain," he grinned.
He added that 8-tracks are also a popular item at the sale. "If you have an old muscle car, or an old restored car, and it came with an 8-track, you'd like to be able to use it," said Gaggini.
Liam Korchoski was at the sale hunting for Clash and Dead Kennedys albums. He has only been collecting vinyl for two years but has already amassed more than 250 records. "It appeals to my hoarder tendency more than anything, I just like owning things," he said. "I like the cover art, just seeing it. You can really see the music."
For those interested in starting a vinyl collection, Gaggini said to start by buying the music you like. "It's more a matter of getting what you like than looking for the records that are worth all the big money," he said.
There are, however, some rare Manitoba-based albums out there, like one from the early career of Neil Young. "His first band was called the Squires, and they had a '45 back in 1963 and it’s a $4,000 record all day long, mind you it has to be in mint condition," said Gaggini.
The show was a one-day event only but Gaggini said there are plans for it to return to the Caboto Centre on Oct. 15, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks beat Oilers 5-4 in comeback to take Game 1
The Vancouver Canucks won the first game of their NHL playoffs series with the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Wednesday night coming back from a three-goal deficit.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.