Vinyl records are having a remarkable revival, and it is mostly contributed by Generation Z. The latest report by Vinyl Alliance shows the physical format is resonating strongly with listeners of 15- 28 years.
More than 2,500 people in the United States, England and Germany were interviewed for the study. The results show that up to 76 per cent of Generation Z regularly buy records at least once a month because they want the music in a physical format. Among them, 29 per cent consider themselves to be serious collectors, GEARNEWS reports.
Social media has amplified the trend. According to the Vinyl Alliance report, there are over 39 million posts about vinyl on Instagram alone. The large, visually striking album covers lend themselves perfectly to online sharing, giving records a cultural presence beyond the turntable.
In this context, it is interesting to note that the CD, a medium that was declared dead by many, is also experiencing a revival. And again, the same age group seems to be contributing.
Looking at these figures, the question naturally arises as to whether vinyl is a new way for bands and solo artists to generate revenue from their own music, apart from streaming, concerts or merch.
Established artists are already capitalising on demand through reissues and special editions. However, for many lesser-known musicians, the cost of producing vinyl may still be a financial risk.
Still, compared to the peak era of the 1970s and ’80s, vinyl remains a niche product. With the new boom, the idea of releasing vinyl is more attainable than it has been in decades. For many, vinyl’s return signals not just nostalgia, but a renewed appetite for music as a tangible, enduring experience.