The 2017 edition of Diggin’ Melbourne is now available for download. Find it here. The new map again features 55 stores around the Melbourne metropolitan area and beyond, from Coburg to Frankston and Williamstown to Belgrave. We have a few new stores joining us this year – check Picture Search in Richmond, Son of Run in Belgrave, Profile Music in Prahran, Skydiver in Fitzroy and Oh! Jean in North Carlton. Profile has operated on Greville Street for a long time now and has been a bit of a DJ’s secret… shhh. Oh! Jean – formerly known as Vinyl is also not exactly new, but new to the guide and has a new name to boot. Son of Run is a little off the grid – but they reportedly have enough records up there to make it worth the trip. Music Jungle is also back in the map – and back with extended trading hours, and High on Vinyl also in Thornbury gets an official listing in the map, adding to the growing cluster of stores around Fitzroy North, Northcote, Thornbury and Preston.

Sadly, we’ve lost one (actually two) of the city’s great institutions. Missing Link / Collectors Corner has ceased trading after many years of operation in Melbourne. When we first created this map in 2009, Missing Link and Collectors Corner were two of the driving forces behind the indie, metal and electronic music scenes in Melbourne. These are the stores that never stopped selling vinyl. In recent years we saw both stores move premises, and eventually join forces under one roof. It’s sad to see them go. Next time you consider buying records from a non-independent or online record store, spare a thought for Missing Link and Collectors Corner. Support your local and independent record stores who support local and independent music. Dig.

We are currently in the process of updating the online store guide and should be complete in the next 24 hours. For the most up-to-date info check the PDF map, pick up a copy at your favourite record store today.

Don’t forget you can find out what’s happening in your ‘hood on Saturday April 22 right here: www.recordstoreday.com.au