The most bonkers record shop I have ever visited


Haystacks Music & More    *The record shop that was raided by the police*

Backfold, Hay-on-Wye, Powys HR3 5EQ
07512 7298199
Monday-Sunday 9.30am-4.30pm
Established 2013.
Stock: Vinyl, CD, Pre-owned, 78s, Books, DVD, T-shirts, and all manner of oddities

The wellington boots filled with flowers standing either side of the doorway are a sign of what lies within this delightful record shop. To approach the racks of vinyl, you must pass a diverse array of distractions; pink wigs, psychedelic dresses, lava lamps, wildlife paintings, a large sign declaring, “Turn Off, Re-Tune and Drop in” and a copy of an Andy Warhol print of the Beatles, to name but a few.



With this build up, you except the owner Haydn Pugh to be a character and he does not disappoint. Dressed in a shirt with dozens of vinyl records printed on it and a medallion made from a 7-inch single, he soon starts enthusing about the unusual items he has in stock.

The shop achieved notoriety after a police raid in 2016 following a complaint about a poster at the entrance to his shop featuring a vinyl disc, a CD and a book in a clear bag underneath the words “Legal highs sold”. Also hanging from the ceiling are coloured vinyl records with slogans such as “High on Music” printed on them. Haydn is referring to getting high on music as opposed to drugs. The story featured in the local press and in the national red-tops, The Sun and The Daily Star.


The police were not the only ones confused by Haydn’s poster and its mischievous reference to the mood-enhancing qualities of music and literature. A straggly looking man came in and asked “Any dope?”
“Only the one I am looking at,” Haydn replied.



Vinyl fans paying a visit to the annual Hay Festival of Literature & Arts will be well rewarded by a visit to this fascinating shop.



 The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made it Happen' is Graham Jones new book

 
Over 220 independent record shops are  featured 
 

The books of Graham Jones are available in record shops or online. The latest book The Vinyl Revival and the Shops that Made it Happen has been turned in to a film. It has just been released on DVD and is available in record shops or online. Distributed by Proper Music.

Each week I record The Vinyl Revival Record Shop Podcast. It contains lots of funny tales from the crazy world of record retailing. It is also available on Spotify.

Twitter: @Revival_Vinyl

My blog has over 100 features on record shops and vinyl.

grahamjonesvinylrevival.blogspot.com

For film screenings and talks contact Graham. 


As the person who has visited more record shops than any other human, I often get asked my advice on buying turntables. I always say do not purchase a budget model. What is the point of buying one that costs the price of a few albums? The sound will not do the recordings justice. For a long time, I have recommended Rega Turntables as they are superb quality at great prices. They got more brownie points for sponsoring 'Record Store Day' and manufacturing limited editions just for record shops. 

 
 
 


https://youtu.be/dDYrd0N2cIA

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