Every music lover out there should visit D'Vinyl Records just to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume…read moreof physical music. Piles of vinyl, Compact Discs and memorabilia fill the shop floor to ceiling. As record stores go you would be hard pressed to find one that still buys second hand merchandise and sells it on and this can lead to issues with scratched discs. After you have enjoyed a moment of sheer fantasy where by you take on the shop and listen to music non-stop until your demise, as would be the case if you tried to finish the backlog of music playtime in this store. Your best choice for new music is spillers who are easily the best shop in Cardiff for new CD from known and unknown artists.

Ok so I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I prefer D'vynal Records to Spillers. The reason…read morewhy is because D'vynals just has so much more to offer, stuffed to rafters with vinyl's, CDs, DVDs and books. It has a fantastic smell of history which you can only experience and not describe and really gives you the sense that a record was once an asset to keep and cherish rather than an electronic file that is now so easily available the true meaning of the work and artistry that goes into making a record has been lost. What is also great about this place is you can trade in your old records and get some good deals. I could spend hours and hours in D'vynals as there is no other record store in Cardiff that offers the same experience. It's about a 15 minute walk from the city centre but very much worth the walk and I guarantee you will not be disappointed with this seemingly endless treasure trove of music.

This is so strange that it draws people to stand and gawp. I've seen people do it. It's hilarious…read more 'What? I don't understand! A vending machine for cheap new DVDs?' I say. 'Yes!' a little voice in my head confirms. 'Isn't it cool? You should buy one just to try it out!' 'Nay,' I say, 'For that would be dangerous and silly.' Because that's how I think most people's initial reaction will be to these newfangled machines. They're amazing. They're so sleek. They're a very clever idea. But they're not to be trusted. Like Daleks. So I've yet to try one, because I'm scared that it will eat my card or exterminate me. So I'm holding out on that last star......

If you've not heard of Spillers then just pretend you have as its a little uncool not to know…read more I do not collect vinyl nor do I know anyone who does but I've often pretended I used to be a regular at Spillers. As a youngster I could often be heard dropping Spillers name into my conversation just to impress the odd would be girlfriend, "Yeah well i had to order it from Spillers coz even they didn't have the 12 inch in stock" So if you're visiting Cardiff you have to pop into Spillers as apparently it is "the oldest record shop in the world". It's just a pity it had to move to new premises as I think the new light and airy shop in the Morgan's Arcade is a bit like a music lover deciding to dump all his dark moody vinyl collection in preference for shiny new compact discs.

If your cool you'll know all about this shop. Started in 1894 Spillers specialised in selling…read morePhones?! In the early 20c, really? Oh wait, Phonographes, sorry. They relocated to the Hayes in the 1920's and have sold vinyls, CD's and music DVD's ever since (Those latter examples came later obviously) There was a worry a few years ago that it was going to be shut down thanks to the delights of Cardiff being built around them but were eventually saved thankfully. Now as a music fan, this is the place I want to be. Real music for real fans, staffed by people who know that they are talking about. Spillers feels special every time I go in, I often come out with some hidden treasure after seeing the staffs recommendations or after I speak to them about the bands I like and what's new (My ear is defiantly not to the floor when it comes to popular culture I'm afraid.) Something that always leaves me with a smile as I exit the shop. There's a real old antique feel to the place that makes the small shop feel different to those shiny soulless chained stores. Your not gonna get anything cheaper in here, but what you are doing is supporting a dying breed of independently owned music stores that feel like they are there for the love of music, not money!

The sad thing is that HMV is one of the only places in town these days where you can buy music,…read morevideos ect, and that probably explains why its so expensive. We all know you get this stuff online cheaper but if you want something right away you will have to pay more for it here. That being said this HMV has 3 floors full of choices and cover lots of different genre's. I generally find the staff really approachable and helpful and will help you find what your looking for. Everything is still quite crammed though so expect to be bumping into people when its busy.

Come for the massive amount of choice, leave because of the obscene prices. That's generally the…read morethoughts on HMV, unfortunately. And, unfortunately, it's not at all undeserved. Ever since Fopp and Virgin left the city centre, HMV has been almost the sole purveyor of CDs and DVDs around. Sure, there's Spiller's for CDs, but most everything else is done online which is not exactly ideal for impulse buyers or people who need to purchase a gift right now. This monopoly has allowed them to crank prices up to obscene amounts. There is a silver lining here though; as no one is prepared to buy their preposterously over-priced wares, HMV has a massive sale approximately once every six hours and these sales are actually quite good value for money. You can collect DVDs and CDs in there for less than you'd pay online, which is quite nice and lets you feel smug for a little bit until you realise you've just fuelled that evil, money-hungry monster and helped validate the insane prices. Then you sigh, cry a little and maybe jump on Play.com to make up for it.

I'm writing this review begrudgingly, as I want all of the albums at this brand new shop for…read moremyself. Hot Wax Records has yet to launch officially, so please excuse the austere interior and lack of stock in place (there's not even a sign up, but owner Dave is still trading). Offering a wide selection of 12-inch albums, DVDs, modern collectibles, posters and comics, Hot Wax is one of Cardiff's newest "music and more" shops and soon to become my favourite place to spend money. I stumbled upon this jewel in the alluvial deposit that is Cowbridge Road East just the other day. Oh, but the vinyl, the glorious vinyl, many of which comprise my "dream collection" and most are all priced less than a fiver. If I didn't have somewhere to be, I would have happily spent the entire afternoon here, digging for musical treasure. Please note the store is closed from 1-2 for lunch, and as of last week the card machine system is not in place so only cash is accepted. Won't deter me, though!

Kelly's used to be a great record shop where you could go and find original pressings of great…read morerecords went there today after a few years and I have to say but it's lost all the atmosphere and all the pull of old school collectors nothing but brand new reissues like HMV and an absolutely lifeless place to go dont know why they decided to change but what a mistake

I have a vinyl fetish. But it's not what you think…read more Ever since I discovered the legendary zipper-adorned Sticky Fingers album for $1 in a bin at a charity shop in South Florida, my fixation with vinyl has grown stronger with every passing year. For me, there's a special ritual involved in listening to a record - the sliding of the sleeve, the drop of the needle, the delicate scratching din - that hitting a button on an iPod can't ever come close to. Anyway, that's why I have an almost perverse love of Kelly's Records. Many of the shops in Cardiff Market pass by me without any recognition, but this independent record store that perches on the balcony grabs me every time. I try not to come here often, because I can't leave without buying something. Specialising in pre-owned rare and collectable vinyl, Kelly's Records also sells CDs, DVDs, videos, and even 78 records. Like any reputable record store, Kelly's has a listen-before-you-buy policy, as well as employ staff who know their stuff, but don't use their extensive knowledge to make you feel intimidated.

Catapult does for Cardiff's urban dance music fans what Spillers does for indie, rock and…read morealternative fans. It sells CDs and vinyl spanning various genres (house, breaks, hardcore, dubstep, drum & bass, techno, hard dance, urban, etc). It's a haven for Cardiff's club DJs, and for anyone who's really into their club music. If you're not into clubbing, however, you may feel a bit out of place - or at the very least you're unlikely to find much in here that you recognise. But if you're looking for a present for someone and you're out of your depth, just ask the staff - they are incredibly approachable and go out of their way to help. They also sell DJ equipment, catering for everyone from professional DJs through to home spinners, plus some cool streetwear such as Aerosoul's Junglist Movement t-shirts and Catapult hoodies, plus record bags and metal boxes.

All hail the independent music shop. In a world where gems like this are dying out it's refreshing…read moreto see somewhere like Catapult still going strong. Cardiff is blessed with Spillers which satisfies the indie/rock/electronica fans but for folks who are into the harder stuff the Catapult is your best bet. Probably best described as 'Urban' you'll find Dubstep, Drum n' Bass and Jungle amongst other things. There's a massive range of top quality DJ equipment that gives me a headache just looking at it. So many buttons... but for the technically challenged folk like me there are gorgeous skull candy headphones and various other goodies that will enhance your listening experience not to mention a tone of vinyl and cd's which cover just about ever niche and specialty. All the cool kids go to Catapult.

Perhaps it is too early to write a review for a hall that has not yet opened. ( but I will !)…read more For many years the BBc National orchestra of Wales has rehersed in studio one in the BBC at Llandaf The studio was originaly designed for the then BBC Welsh Orchestra, a much smaller orchestra than the present one. They gave concerts open to the public frequently. When the orchestra was enlarged to its present size space was critical so the balcony was removed. The studio was still too small and not big enough to accomodate an audience. For some time the orchestra (and chorus) have rehersed in a very small and inadequate space. Another great disadvantage with the small studio it is that it acoustically dead, for not only do the players find it difficult to play in this environment, but when the recording is broadcast it has to be given artificial 'reverb' in order for the recording to sound natural .Some keen listeners can detect this unnatural addition. The new Hall promises to correct these difficulties. The BBC Hoddinot Hall ( named in memory of one of Wales's great composers Alun Hoddinott who was also professor of music at Cardiff University and an organiser of festivals and concerts. Now sadly deceased ) is opening in January 2009. The new hall not only gives the orchestra ample rehersal space, facillities for recording, and accomodation for an audience. (Holds about 350 people) The opening concert is on Thursday 22 January 2009 at 7.0pm with works by Hoddinott, Varese, Beethoven, Sibelius, and Ravel. Tickets from 0800 052 1812 See you there !

A childhood memory is this place to me, as I used to go here many times with friends. There is so…read moremuch cheap choice there too. It is almost an old fashioned sweet shop it has sweet; sugary, juicy different flavoured mice, lollies, and there all kinds of chocolate and many other sweets there. The prices are just right and the staff are really friendly and very welcoming. I recommend it as the best sweet shop in town, and it is one of the best arcades within town. I love this arcade because it is amazing what neat, smaller, old fashioned shops that you discover down here. I also love it because it reminds me of Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter, fantasy novel series. Apparently Cardiff is known for being the city of arcades representing perhaps the only images left that tell us of the wonderful and interesting history of the Victorian and the Edwardian heritage. It was in 1858 when the Royal Arcade in Cardiff's city centre was built; before that the 1790s only beheld twenty five retail shops known as 'market stalls.'

Fine Chocolates is an extremely well positioned shop on the corner of The Royal Arcade where it…read moremeets St Mary Street, allowing it a sizeable shop front on both, whilst retaining the prestigious address of The Royal Arcade. The chocolates are exquisite, but with a price tag to match, and so I have only ever bought them as gifts for other people, munching out on the less expensive, ubiquitous mass produced Belgian chocolate when I have a chocolate attack. I think that this is probably what most commonly occurs. With a selection of modern gift boxes, which are all finished off with presentation ribbons by the staff, it's clear that the gift option is a popular one. (This doesn't mean to say that it's not possible to prize the box open and snaffle a couple before you present them, somewhat apologetically, to their intended owner. And, this way you can announce with authority, as you hand the goods over, that the contents of their gift are really very good!) The shop also stocks soft drinks and a few lower cost items, like cake, that you can eat in at the tables provided. They also do great ice creams. I guess it is the sale of this kind of stuff that subsidises the chocolates, and justifies having such a large retail space, (otherwise there would be no point, and it certainly wouldn't be affordable).