25 record shops you should follow on Instagram

Having tipped a hat to the record collectors you need to follow on Instagram, it’s time we gave record shops some shine.

Words: Michael Wilkin

Record stores are the original tastemakers, tasked with curating a selection of vinyl that defines who they are and with providing a digging experience that can only be fully appreciated in the flesh.

But, in a world where the all encompassing Discogs delivers direct to your door, stores are finding new ways to bring some of that good ol’ fashion brick & mortar vibe to the digital realm.

Enter Instagram.

More than ever a record store’s Instagram feed represents the ideal vantage point to observe the nitty gritty of day-to-day operations and (more importantly) to source valuable insight direct from those who would know. They are the front-line – helping to cut through a swathe of cuts to deliver ever-dependable recommendations on a daily basis in picture form, from putting a spotlight on the best new releases, to flagging-up rarities when they show their heads.

Take a look at a look below at our curated selection of 25 record stores you should be following on Instagram.

Know of a record store with an amazing Instagram feed? Point us in their direction by commenting on our Instagram @thevinylfactory with your suggestions.

Groove Merchant, San Francisco / @groovemerchantsf

Some of that Nice Nice to start the weekend off properly. Going out today and all weekend.

A photo posted by Chris Veltri (@groovemerchantsf) on Mar 18, 2016 at 11:51am PDT

Turntable Lab, New York City / @Turntablelabnyc

YA MAMA'S SO OLD… She bought the Runnin' cassingle when it dropped. Ya mama's so dumb she returned it because she thought it would play too fast for her Walkman.

A photo posted by turntablelabnyc (@turntablelabnyc) on Feb 24, 2016 at 2:28pm PST

Phonica Records, London / @PhonicaRecords

We're big fans of #JohnSwing & #EMG here at Phonica and always keen to hear what their playing whether it's their own productions or music from their affiliated labels and artists. Luckily for us we just scored a few copies of first appearance as Vinalog on the highly sought-after Limited #LiveJamRecords. These heavy duty analogue cuts are strictly limited and also give you a little taste of what's to come on their upcoming double 12”. j.mp/LiveJamLTD #Phonica #PhonicaRecords #vinyl #records #ILoveVinyl #Iloverecords #45rpm #33rpm #InstaVinyl #InstaRecords #VinylMePlease #RecordPorn #VinylJunkie #12Inch #VinylClub #VinylCommunity #HouseMusic #Analogue ##AnalogueHouseMusic

A video posted by phonica (@phonicarecords) on Mar 21, 2016 at 10:34am PDT

Rush Hour, Amsterdam / @rushhourrecords

Photo: De Volkskrant

A photo posted by Rush Hour Music (@rushhourrecords) on Jul 23, 2015 at 2:23am PDT

Pyramid Records, San Francisco / @pyramidrecords

7" happy hour tomorrow at the shop! bring along some of your favorite singles to play – we'll have the turntables set up & FREE BEER! 🍻 6:30-9:30

A photo posted by pyramid records (@pyramidrecords) on Mar 10, 2016 at 5:05pm PST

Black Gold, Brooklyn / @blackgoldbrooklyn

Solid crate of jazz just in! #vinyl #blackgoldbrooklyn

A photo posted by Black Gold Brooklyn (@blackgoldbrooklyn) on Sep 4, 2015 at 12:59pm PDT

Amoeba Music, Los Angeles / @amoebahollywood

kyle h, smooth operator #sade #amoebamusic

A photo posted by Amoeba Hollywood (@amoebahollywood) on Mar 19, 2016 at 4:16pm PDT

Rough Trade, London / @roughtrade

40 years ago today, Rough Trade opened its doors for the very first time, on Kensington Park Road, West London.

A photo posted by Rough Trade (@roughtrade) on Feb 20, 2016 at 3:45am PST

A1 Records, New York City / @a1recordshop

Frankie Bones live in the mix right now at the shop! This man brought no records to the shop for his set and was pulling records out strictly from out bin.. And utterly destroyed his set! Stay tuned to #dailysession for that set to drop!

A photo posted by A-1 Record Shop (@a1recordshop) on Mar 4, 2016 at 5:06pm PST

Disk Union, Tokyo / @diskunion_shinjuku_soul

本日11時オープンです！1月23日(土)開催 『SOUL・FUNK・RARE GROOVE 廃盤45 Sale』 2016年45sセール第1弾開催！ 最新仕入の"極上"レア・ストック含め新着・廃盤シングル一挙放出！！ 出展枚数は300枚を超えました！ 外はかなり寒いですが･･･ ぜひぜひご来店ください！ #KeepOnDiggin #buying #soul #funk #DeepFunk #Funk45 #raregroove #disco #boogie #records #vinyl #wax #45 #45s #45rpm #7inch #7インチ #7吋 #レコード #アナログレコード #duセール #dig #diggin #diskunion #ディスクユニオン

A photo posted by ディスクユニオン新宿ソウル/ブルース館 (@diskunion_shinjuku_soul) on Jan 22, 2016 at 5:30pm PST

Kristina Records, London / @kristinarecords

Lovely Music From Memory drop. Masters of the obscure, left of centre reissue come up trumps once again with arguably two of the best so far…plus we have a small restock of the Michael Turtle 12"…. snap em up! #kristinarecords #musicfrommemeory #susosaiz #dipinthepool #obscure #vinyl #leftfield #reissue #ambient #vinyl #recordshop #recordshopping #vinylsleeve #artwork #design #dalston

A photo posted by Kristina Records (@kristinarecords) on Mar 9, 2016 at 5:22am PST

HMV Record Shop, Tokyo / @hmvrecord

日本アンダーグラウンドの歴史に黒く輝く孤高のシンガー、浅川マキの初期名作『浅川マキの世界』『MAKI II』『MAKI LIVE』の3枚がLP再発！！ HONEST JON'Sからの編集版CDリリースによって海外認知も広がり嬉しい次第です。ブルーズ、ジャズ、インド古典、純邦楽など様々な要素を呑み込んだ圧倒的な世界観は常に先鋭的です。未聴の方はぜひこの機会にどうぞ！ #hmvrecordshop渋谷 #hmvrecordshop #hmv渋谷 #asakawamaki #makiasakawa #浅川マキ #folk #blues #japanese #acidfolk #psych #jazz

A photo posted by HMVrecordshop渋谷 (@hmvrecord) on Mar 23, 2016 at 2:02am PDT

Rye Wax, London / @ryewaxrecords

These are the record's you were looking for. List imminent! #ryewax #records

A photo posted by @ryewaxrecords on Dec 3, 2014 at 11:27am PST

Oye Records, Berlin / @oyerecordstore_berlin

Back in: Kosi comes around by turntablist DJ Koze #pamparecords

A photo posted by OYE Records (@oyerecordstore_berlin) on Mar 3, 2016 at 4:37am PST

Mount Analog, Los Angeles / @mountanalog

The soundtracks to the Revenant (Ryuichi Sakamoto & Alva Noto) and Chris Marker's La Jetée in stock now . Both breathtaking in their own turn.

A photo posted by Mount Analog (@mountanalog) on Feb 23, 2016 at 2:57pm PST

Other Music, New York City / @other_music

#ryuichisakamoto and #macdemarco (Photo by Chad Kamenshine)

A photo posted by Other Music (@other_music) on Feb 26, 2016 at 11:24am PST

Northside Records, Melbourne / @northside_records

Even these two tourists from Toronto are super psyched that @jrakz has repressed his incredible EP "Groove Curse". Some of the finest soul music ever put out in this country. $25 #freshrecordsdaily #limited

A photo posted by Northside Records (@northside_records) on Feb 14, 2016 at 4:19pm PST

Idle Hands, Bristol / @idlehandsbs1

Finally here is the finished copies of Matt Karmil's LP for Idle Hands – officially out next week

A photo posted by Idle Hands (@idlehandsbs1) on Mar 17, 2016 at 6:48am PDT

Revelation Time, Osaka / @revelation_time

9 Japanese Records New Arrivals to Discogs!! http://www.discogs.com/seller/RevelationTime_Osaka/profile Check audio of records for sale here! https://soundcloud.com/az-revelationtime/sets/japanese-records-for-sale #haruomihosono #chiemimanabe #synthpop #japaneserecords

A photo posted by @revelation_time on Dec 3, 2015 at 6:21am PST

Disco Paradiso / @discosparadiso

#paradisonews #cadaquesconexio #giuliolibano #ibizasound #finisafricae #library #bossajazz #hippypsych #balearic #ambient

A photo posted by Discos Paradiso (@discosparadiso) on Dec 29, 2015 at 6:32am PST

Waterloo Records, Austin / @waterloorecords

A photo posted by Waterloo Records (@waterloorecords) on Feb 28, 2016 at 3:21pm PST

Analog Record Shop, Tustin CA / @analogrecordshop

Tons of great used jazz going out on the shelves today! Miles, Coltrane, Brubeck, Monk, Roach, Getz, Baker etc #analogrecordshop #analog #recordshop #recordstore #vinyl #records #jazz #milesdavis #coltrane #chetbaker #brubeck #vinyligclub #vinyljunkie #nowspinning #used #vintage #tustin #ca #oc

A photo posted by Analog Record Shop (@analogrecordshop) on Feb 23, 2016 at 12:47pm PST

Dusty Groove, Chicago / @dustygroove

Busy day! Happy Friday. #chicago #recordstore #dustygroove #vinyl #soul #funky #jazz #hiphop

A photo posted by Dusty Groove (@dustygroove) on Mar 18, 2016 at 1:05pm PDT

Permanent Records, Los Angeles / @permanentrecordsla

All these LPs and many many more are marked down up to 50% off at our Echo Park location! #vinyljunkies #vinyligclub #vinyl

A video posted by Permanent Records LA (@permanentrecordsla) on Mar 19, 2016 at 2:55pm PDT

Highgate Continental, Perth / @highgatecontinental

Stacks of new things in store this week – big parcels expected later this afternoon too! Come through, doors open until 7pm this eve 👋

A photo posted by Highgate Continental (@highgatecontinental) on Feb 22, 2016 at 9:06pm PST