Compared to other music formats, Craig Neville just prefers the vinyl experience.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"It's a better sound than the CDs, and the CDs falter within a certain number of plays while the vinyl doesn't," the 64-year-old Mount St Thomas resident said.
Clutching newly purchased Boz Scaggs and Bob Seger LPs at Music Farmers, Wollongong, he said that vinyl "is going to come back, because it's the album covers, the whole thing".
"We're losing the essence of music with the digital stuff," he said.
Music stores throughout the Illawarra (and the world) celebrated vinyl records on Saturday, as part of the internationally recognised Record Store Day.
The day is held internationally on April 13, with more than 180 independent music stores around the country celebrating the day with the record, CD, DVD and cassette-buying folks who keep the doors of these stores open.
Sydney-sider Anthony Blayney, 34, also visited Music Farmers on the day.
He said Record Store Day was a constant reminder to support independent bands and businesses who help keep that music culture alive.
Music Farmers were among a series of Illawarra stores to host events to celebrate the occasion.
Other Illawarra stores with events included Franks Wild Years, Thirroul; The Shed in Fairy Meadow; and Record Fair, Kiama.
Music Farmers co-owner Jeb Taylor said they'd had a particularly busy first hour, with dozens of punters lined up before the store opened.
He said there were some sought-after items.
"There were a few of the soundtracks that were pretty popular, and obviously here Hockey Dad's been really strong," he said.
"The Devo box set was pretty popular straight away, for a higher-priced item."
Music Farmers is hosting live music from 4pm on Saturday, featuring Totally Unicorn, Velvet Elevator and Enfant Terrible.
Windang duo Hockey Dad were also named Australian ambassadors for Record Store Day 2019.
They joined multi-ARIA winner Kate Ceberano and ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Dave Faulkner.