Vinyl sales have been booming lately — yes, in 2023 — but what’s even more shocking is that 50 percent of people purchasing vinyls don’t even own a record player.
So, what’s driving the increase in vinyls if people aren’t actually listening to the records?
Some of it can be blamed on the general vintage cool factor, but a report from Luminate, a music sales data company, found that vinyl buyers are more likely to be “superfans” — you know, those who spend well above-average time and money on music, actively discover new music, participate in music-related activities on social media and plan on attending a live music event in the next 12 months.
The gifting market is also a factor, with people buying vinyl as presents for friends and family on special occasions. But the rise of superfans may be the most significant driver behind vinyl’s resurgence.
The reports suggests that these passionate music enthusiasts are buying vinyl as a way to express their identity and signal their love for a particular artist or genre. For some, vinyl is a decoration to be displayed on the wall or a collectible artifact to be treasured. For others, it’s as much about seeing and touching the music they love as it is about listening.
Last year, the best-selling vinyl albums in the U.S. were a combination of old classics and newer hits. Taylor Swift fans in particular took the lead by a landslide, buying more vinyl sales than any other artist’s fanbase.
