Vinyl records have made a comeback nobody was expecting in 2014, and many in Bexley are starting their own collections too. Events such as the Bexley Record Fair at the Freemantle hall have allowed people to pursue their newfound vinyl passion and move their collections from CDs to LPs. Vinyl record sales are set to hit 1.2 million in the UK this year, up from fewer than 400,000 units in 2012, but why are people seemingly taking this step back in time?

I visited the Bexley Record fair to find out, and spoke to Alex Reeve who is a 16 year old starting out their record collection. I asked why it was they decided to start collecting, and he said ‘They’re a million times better than CDs and more fun than an iPod. Personally, what attracted me were the covers to some albums and how great they look, and with vinyl you can really appreciate the design and even use them as decoration.’ He went on to say that ‘You can’t beat the sound of a vinyl’.

At the record fair there was a multitude of ages showing that all age groups in Bexley and the UK are starting to look into vinyl. Most new album releases are now being produced as a as vinyl as well as CDs, such as Pink Floyds new album ‘The Endless River’. This album sold 6,000 vinyl versions, which was the highest amount of sales of any LP since 1997, and although 6,000 is a seemingly small amount of sales, it indicates the increased interest and could signify an even larger spike in sales next year. Even One Direction released their album as a vinyl, and many bands such as Royal Blood and Peace are encouraging vinyl sales, with the latter selling a 7 inch vinyl personally signed by the band.

Albums with iconic covers such as The Beatles’ ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ and Pink Floyd’s 'Wish You Were Here' and ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ fill the majority of record sales, and many people are putting the albums on their walls and around their houses as decoration. Numerous people, such as Alex Reeve, have adopted their parent's record collections as a start for theirs. It is a great way for the young generation to connect with the older generation and I predict this revolution to continue spreading through Bexley and the UK.

If you want to start your own collection, visit the Bexley Record Fair which takes place on the last Sunday of every month from 10am – 3:30pm at the Freemantle Hall on Bexley High Street, and is only 50p for admission with OAPs gaining admission for free. 

Daniel Hall, Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School