In the age of digital music, internet shopping and supermarkets undercutting everybody there will…read morealways be a place for an independent record store where you can guarantee the staff know there stuff, can make recommendations, get you hard to find Record Store Day vinyl without the need to trek to Rough Trade in London. If you like your Punk, Metal, Emo, Screamo, Hardcore and any other sub-genre of this ilk you can think of then you need to visit this little store tucked away in the Oasis centre. Rich at Ignite has been a long time face on the music scene in Brum. He champions local bands and puts out his own releases through his own indie label Speedowax. As a long time customer from his days working at Tempest before embarking on his own little operation he can soon help you part with your money as he soon gets to know your musical tastes and he caters to his customers. Support your local independent sellers, and sometimes it may cost you a pound more but its a shiny, actual object you can touch and read the lyrics and see pretty artwork and have in your hands there and then, knowing its been stocked with love and attention just for you.

Dropping in to ignite is always a pleasure to have a catch up with Rich and check for any new…read morestock. Having been a regular for many years of both tempest and ignite dealing with Rich is always great, he learns your taste in music and the specific bands you like, from which he will always find a new recommendation for you, specialising in all forms of alternative music. Rich is always happy to try and order those rare to find, limited editions and imports you can't get on the high street. Anything he does have in stock he will happily play for you to get an idea if it's up your street! Vinyl is a speciality at ignite with promising stock for every record day as well, he even recently took part in the first tape day stocking a limited number of new and re-release tape albums and EPs. Rich also runs a local record label Speedowax with which he helps promote and sell new and upcoming talent! I would always recommend shopping here for music over highstreet stores (support your local businesses!) even though some purchases may cost an extra pound or two, you may find some real talent you would otherwise never be exposed to...

I do love vinyls and it`s a shame I never was able to bring any of mine to this country and because…read moreI grew up in a city, São Paulo, where in every corner was possible to find a nice vinyl shop, It is most like compulsory to stop by every time I see a nice record shop. Luckily, Birmingham has excellent ones and Custard factory just got a brand new one as well: Left for Dead. And my visit to the place couldn't be better. From having a nice chatting about the concept of the record shop to finding a truly wonderful book with Bob Dylan's painting for only 6 pounds, it is my kind of shop. It's very selective as well. You are going to find loads of independent music. From Metal to jazz and classic records. No mainstream stuff but a great source for those who like nice music. There is an impressive collection of vintage magazines other great book titles. Everything with a very personal touch. That's always good to find a shop where it's sold what the owner believe is a good product. What is also impressive is the price in this shop. really nice items for collectors, for really cheap prices. As an independent business placed in Digbeth, Left For Dead also supports the local music and events and in 2014, there are many more to come.

With an unparalleled selection of vinyl and DJ toys, Seismic has grown to become one of the best…read morerecord shops in the whole country - even the Observer says so! Situated sneakily above Kong, a lovely fashion store in its own right, staff are always friendly and extremely knowledgeable. As it is mail order too there is an almost exhaustive selection of DnB, Breaks, House, Hip Hop etc vinyl with loads of rareties and white labels to discover! The shop itself is bright, comfortable and the perfect way to waste away an afternoon. Unmissable for DJ's

Fantastic selection of records, the owner is extremely friendly and helpful. If there is a record…read moreyou want that isn't in stock, he will order it in for you. Pricing is also very competitive.

Amazing store with amazing selections! You never know what you're gonna find! The staff are…read morefriendly, knowledgeable and know exactly what they're talking about if you ask for help! Love bunch of people and the store is always in top shape! Amazing prices too! Their collection of vinyl is vast and spans across so many genres! Overall an amazing store and worth stopping by!

From the owner: Independent vinyl store at FarGo village Coventry. Buys and…read moreSells Vinyl.

There are Charity Shops and then there's Oxfam Book & Music!…read more Dedicated entirely to Books, CD's and DVD's, the shop is inviting and is well laid out with some fantastic stock which is regularly updated. While not a big store, it genuinely has a book shop feel to it with classical music playing in the background and a small area for sitting and reading. While the books aren't as cheap as other charity shops, you're much more likely to find a gem here. Recommended!

The Oxfam book and music shop in Knowle came up trumps today. I'd been experimenting with the…read morekindle i-pad app for my current read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and it hadn't been going too well if I am honest. With my next book club meeting looming I was in desperate need of a traditional copy of this work. So, as I was passing, I popped into this store on the off chance. Not for the first time my prayers were answered by an Oxfam shop. Sitting waiting for me was just the book I needed, in paperback and in excellent condition for a mere £2.99. I quickly browsed the rest of the store and it was in perfect condition. There is a nice reading area at the front of the store if you want to take your book purchasing a bit slower than mine. They also have a small but good selection of DVDs, CDs and vinyl. Thanks once again Oxfam!

A little gem of a shop for music enthusiasts. It is a tiny little shop but they are like an…read moreAladdin's cave of musical instruments and accessories. The staff couldn't be more friendly and will bend over backwards to help you. Nothing is too much trouble. The prices in there aren't too bad at all. OK the nature of the business means there are no cheapies but certain stores are still well over priced but not here at Music man. The after care service is great, nothing is too much trouble for them and they want their customers to go away happy. My daughter is quite happy to go back here for all her guitar accessories as well as the next time she needs her guitar restrung.

This place has a bunch of stuff. They are willing to order things. They surprise me with their…read morerange sometimes but really they don't seem to understand what I want to do or what I want. They specialise in the cheaper range of gear like behringer and their clones and they strike an uneasy balance between musical instruments and accessories and mobile DJ's and karaoke machines. I get the impression that they started out as a mobile DJ and karaoke machine supplier along with some cheaper PA's and sound systems and branched out into a few of the budget guitars and things and now they've got this uneasy mix. I'm always going for either highly technical queries regarding professional equipment which they can't really help with and would have to order in anyway or I'm on the musical instrument side which they only cover the basics of for the purposes of the beginner. It is nice to see independent businesses though.

My first experience of the Moseley record and book fair happened completely by random. I was…read morevisiting a friend who had recently moved to the area and we decided to go for a stroll. I hadn't been to such a fair since I was younger and my Dad took me to look for some new records for his 12 inch record player! It was a really nice blast from the past and I could really feel the enthusiasm and passion for music from the sellers on each stall. They really appeared to love being there and sharing their knowledge with potential buyers. Although the name suggests it's just records and books for sale, you'll also find everything from classic magazines, comic books, and music memorabilia. If you get a little peckish between exploring what's on offer, head to the café and get yourself a slice of handmade Victoria sponge! Yum.

Moseley Record & Book Fair is one of the greatest places for me to go to, and I think it's…read moresomething that I'd truly miss if I moved out of Birmingham. I am literally addicted to coming every month, and spending every penny that I have on vinyl. The fair happens every first Sunday, but often changes dates, so keep your eyes peeled on the website for updates. Every stall holder has something I want to buy, with an extensive list of vinyl, CDs, books and comics, visitors literally lose themselves in mooching through everything. It's great to come into contact with so many like minded people, who hold a love for the physical format of music, and strive to searching for those rarities, no matter what the cost. I, myself, have fallen victim to these pricier, 'sought-after' items, which have emptied my pockets many times. (Especially limited edition Progressive Rock records). The more you attend the fair, the more you learn about each stall holder themselves, and it's great to hear their interests and recommendations. From running a techno club, to meeting musicians, to running a film society, to attempting to organise a tribute to Frank Zappa in Birmingham, the stall holders are rooted in the knowledge and love of music. And so they should be!

Fantastic espresso and yummy dirt chai! Chill atmosphere with the addition of a record store.read more

Cool store! Cool vibes! Not comfy to study here but cute. Cappuccino is legit just a tiny latte…read morewith cocoa on top but it's chill. Pretty nutty espresso I think or maybe it was just the chocolate on top..... fire tho. It's a latte tho.

My three-star rating here is neutral for a reason; I wasn't even aware this adult-only…read moreestablishment existed until two weeks ago but, hunting down new places to review with a friend for the purposes of reviewing on Yelp, the two of us - for the purposes of 'research', you understand - entered the premises on Hurst Street , which sticks out like a sore thumb with its 'hello, we're seedy here' red-and-black exterior. So, I don't frequent places like this and, besides trips to the actual Amsterdam where shops like this feel quite quaint amongst all the brothels and sex show venues, I have no experience to compare it to. The shop itself is an eye-opening plethora of skin vids, phallus-shaped playthings and all sorts of other (sometimes scary-looking) sex aids. The member of staff manning the till was quiet and discreet, which I imagine visitors to places like this appreciate, and he didn't bat an eye lid when my mate and I giggled at a nightmarish-looking rubber fist. A back door in the main shop leads through to a cinema, as advertised outside on the shopfront. I wasn't that committed to my research for this review to test out the cinema and discuss whether its seats were sticky or not, although I'm sure other more specialist sites may give those looking for an erotic cinema-going experience more of an idea of what to expect. So, yes - three stars as I wouldn't want to mark this place down purely for the fact that I'm not its intended audience. Avid sex shop fans may think it's good or bad but that's for them to judge - I'm just here to give the opinion of one curious, very baffled young man who feels really vanilla after my trip here.