Young aspiring DJs "take to the decks" for Record Store Day at Dorset shop

Vinyl Van in Dorchester marks Record Store Day with live music and excited customers

Vinyl Van in Dorchester's Brewery Square
Author: Jamie GuerraPublished 22nd Apr 2023

Vinyl Van in Dorchester's Brewery Square is celebrating independent record store day with live music throughout the day.

The record shop will host live musical performances from local musicians and put on DJ sets held by aspiring DJs from 8am onwards as customers browse through a selection of new releases.

Owner of Vinyl Van, Marcia Smith said: “We've got a fantastic young artist called Zanii who writes all his own stuff and performs a mix of hip hop, indy, pop, electronica.”

He added: “We've also got Andy Graham, who's a bit of a Dorchester hero and he's performing with his daughter who's just started out so for first time ever we've got the two of them playing live together.”

Last year, Record Store Day was the shops busiest day of the year “by quite some margin” and the same is to be expected this year, “it's quite an exciting time for us,” Marcia said.

Tara Bailey, Centre Manager at Brewery Square, noted that independent retailers in Dorchester “go above and beyond to engage with the community”.

Vinyl Van is no different… The record shop has collaborated with The Vinyl Workshop, not only to put on monthly DJ workshops but also to provide six budding DJs with one-to-one classes on the art of DJing.

Marcia said: “Through our monthly open decks nights, we’re giving young people opportunities that can inspire them and build their confidence. Now, we’ve got plenty of aspiring DJs ready to help us with our Record Store Day celebrations.”

Vinyl Van reportedly attracts lots of young customers to the shop, Marcia said: “We love the fact young people come into the shop and we try to stock music that appeals to them.”

“It’s going to be a great weekend of live music at Vinyl Van so please come down to help us celebrate and support these young artists and DJs”.

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