Big Star Records

There’s barely an inch of plaster visible between the gig posters and the rare vinyl that cover the walls at Big Star. The store has been a cornerstone of the Adelaide music industry since 1988, and the “decor” tells its story.

The selection is roughly half second-hand vinyl and half more recent formats. It consists mainly of rock (a good mix of international and Aussie-made stuff) with some jazz, folk and pop. Perfect for filling any gaps in your collection.

There’s no point looking online for the newest releases and acquisitions. Big Star’s Facebook page hasn’t been updated since 2011 and still links to the store’s antiquated Myspace. You’ll have to do the crate-digging in person, like the old days.

Big Star Records exemplifies the effect digital music had on the record stores in the ‘90s. It’s Adelaide’s Empire Records. At its peak, Big Star had six outlets across the city, but today only the original Magill Road store remains trading – a relic and a treasure alike. Ex-Big Star staff have gone on to establish their own independent stores including Clarity Records, Mr. V Music and Streetlight Records.