We know music festivals aren’t the best place in the world to buy vinyl records for obvious reasons, but sometimes it is worth, because your can find great albums at great prices.

Last year, we bought several records at Mad Cool Festival, in Madrid (Spain): The Beat, the debut album by The Beat, released in 1979); Hearts & Arrows by Blue Ash ‎(2005); New Wave by The Auteurs (1992) and Entertainment! by Gang Of Four (1979).

So we recommend to dig in the music festivals’ crates, and then let us know if you find something interesting.

These are our favourite music festival stores:

COACHELLA
Indio, California, U.S.A.
April 13-15 / 20-22

Air-conditioned spot (important!). 30,000 vinyl records. Get your hands dusty searching curated stacks of used vinyl. Make sure to ask for the “rarer” stuff behind the counter. You can find rare original LPs that are being reissued for Record Store Day or you can grab some brand spanking new copies of your favorite Coachella artist’s records, as well as, essentials for any collection, like Nirvana, Snoop Dogg, John Coltrane, Metallica, Marvin Gaye, and Radiohead.

Don’t want to carry your records around all weekend? For $5, the store holds all of your records for the entire weekend, even if you buy 500 $1 45’s.

SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS
Byron Bay, Australia
July 20, 21 and 22

Sonic Sherpa is an Australian record store that curates ranges for the region’s larger music festivals such as Splendour In The Grass. They have a large and eclectic range of new and pre-loved vinyl on hand, as well as stocking turntables, CDs, books, DVDs and music-related t-shirts and paraphernalia.

FUJI ROCK
Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
July 27 — 31

The shop area is located outside of the festival entrance. The official GAN-BAN shop offers records of the performing artists, this stall usually sells 10,000+ units annually. Along side records you will find collaborative items, the Fuji Rock pamphlet and a variety of artist merchandise. Also be sure to check out the in-store live performances that are held here annually.

PRIMAVERA SOUND
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
May 30 – June 3

Sixteen years ago, the main independent labels decided to sell their records to the Primavera Sound audience and they organised a record fair, located at the esplanade of the Parc del Fòrum.

Many of the labels that will participate in the fair will also have representation in the gigs scheduled.

LOLLAPALOOZA
Grant Park, Chicago
August 2-5

The Lollapalooza’s F.Y.E Autograph Tent is your source for CDs, DVDs and vinyl plus daily autograph sessions with Lolla artists.

PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL

Celebrating its 13th year in 2018, the internationally recognized Pitchfork Music Festival presents 40+ acts over the course of three days each summer in Chicago’s Union Park. Pitchfork Music Festival offers a wide array of activities beyond the music. With 50 individual vendors, as well as specialty record and craft fairs, the festival works to support local businesses while promoting the Chicago arts and food communities as a whole.

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