​New 12-part documentary pays homage to UK record stores

A brand new 12-part documentary series celebrating the UK’s beloved independent record stores is due for release over the course of the next three months.

With an episode airing weekly, Behind The Counter heads up and down the UK dipping into the best independent record stores including London’s Lion Vibes, Manchester's Vinyl Revival, and Glasgow’s Some Great Reward.

The 12-parter will lead up to the UK’s annual Record Store Day, which takes place this year on April 23.

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Both Classic Album Sundays and UK audio company Bowers & Wilkins helped bring together the new series in collaboration with Record Store Day.

Also spotlighted in the series is Bradford's Record Café, Brighton’s Resident, Black Star Records in the New Forest, Essex’s Intense Records, Loafers in Halifax and Bury’s Wax & Beans, as well as London’s Peckham Soul and World of Echo.

Each profile aims to bring attention to and celebrate the record stores fuelling the UK’s vinyl collectors, selectors, and beyond.

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“Ahead of Record Store Day on April 23rd, the series celebrates the culture of vinyl collecting at 12 of UK's most unique indie record stores,” announced Classic Album Sunday’s alongside a teaser trailer for the new series.

Behind The Counter also chats with key players helping to keep the institutions alive featuring interviews with record store owners, staff, and regulars as vinyl sales climb to the highest level in 30 years.

In 2021, vinyl sales surpassed five million for the first time since 1991 seeing sales go up a further 8% than in 2020. As record sales skyrocket, it’s looking like a healthy year for Record Store Day 2022.

Check out the trailer for Behind The Counter below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter