Every music lover out there should visit D'Vinyl Records just to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume…read moreof physical music. Piles of vinyl, Compact Discs and memorabilia fill the shop floor to ceiling. As record stores go you would be hard pressed to find one that still buys second hand merchandise and sells it on and this can lead to issues with scratched discs. After you have enjoyed a moment of sheer fantasy where by you take on the shop and listen to music non-stop until your demise, as would be the case if you tried to finish the backlog of music playtime in this store. Your best choice for new music is spillers who are easily the best shop in Cardiff for new CD from known and unknown artists.

Ok so I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I prefer D'vynal Records to Spillers. The reason…read morewhy is because D'vynals just has so much more to offer, stuffed to rafters with vinyl's, CDs, DVDs and books. It has a fantastic smell of history which you can only experience and not describe and really gives you the sense that a record was once an asset to keep and cherish rather than an electronic file that is now so easily available the true meaning of the work and artistry that goes into making a record has been lost. What is also great about this place is you can trade in your old records and get some good deals. I could spend hours and hours in D'vynals as there is no other record store in Cardiff that offers the same experience. It's about a 15 minute walk from the city centre but very much worth the walk and I guarantee you will not be disappointed with this seemingly endless treasure trove of music.

This is so strange that it draws people to stand and gawp. I've seen people do it. It's hilarious…read more 'What? I don't understand! A vending machine for cheap new DVDs?' I say. 'Yes!' a little voice in my head confirms. 'Isn't it cool? You should buy one just to try it out!' 'Nay,' I say, 'For that would be dangerous and silly.' Because that's how I think most people's initial reaction will be to these newfangled machines. They're amazing. They're so sleek. They're a very clever idea. But they're not to be trusted. Like Daleks. So I've yet to try one, because I'm scared that it will eat my card or exterminate me. So I'm holding out on that last star......

If you've not heard of Spillers then just pretend you have as its a little uncool not to know…read more I do not collect vinyl nor do I know anyone who does but I've often pretended I used to be a regular at Spillers. As a youngster I could often be heard dropping Spillers name into my conversation just to impress the odd would be girlfriend, "Yeah well i had to order it from Spillers coz even they didn't have the 12 inch in stock" So if you're visiting Cardiff you have to pop into Spillers as apparently it is "the oldest record shop in the world". It's just a pity it had to move to new premises as I think the new light and airy shop in the Morgan's Arcade is a bit like a music lover deciding to dump all his dark moody vinyl collection in preference for shiny new compact discs.

If your cool you'll know all about this shop. Started in 1894 Spillers specialised in selling…read morePhones?! In the early 20c, really? Oh wait, Phonographes, sorry. They relocated to the Hayes in the 1920's and have sold vinyls, CD's and music DVD's ever since (Those latter examples came later obviously) There was a worry a few years ago that it was going to be shut down thanks to the delights of Cardiff being built around them but were eventually saved thankfully. Now as a music fan, this is the place I want to be. Real music for real fans, staffed by people who know that they are talking about. Spillers feels special every time I go in, I often come out with some hidden treasure after seeing the staffs recommendations or after I speak to them about the bands I like and what's new (My ear is defiantly not to the floor when it comes to popular culture I'm afraid.) Something that always leaves me with a smile as I exit the shop. There's a real old antique feel to the place that makes the small shop feel different to those shiny soulless chained stores. Your not gonna get anything cheaper in here, but what you are doing is supporting a dying breed of independently owned music stores that feel like they are there for the love of music, not money!

The sad thing is that HMV is one of the only places in town these days where you can buy music,…read morevideos ect, and that probably explains why its so expensive. We all know you get this stuff online cheaper but if you want something right away you will have to pay more for it here. That being said this HMV has 3 floors full of choices and cover lots of different genre's. I generally find the staff really approachable and helpful and will help you find what your looking for. Everything is still quite crammed though so expect to be bumping into people when its busy.

Come for the massive amount of choice, leave because of the obscene prices. That's generally the…read morethoughts on HMV, unfortunately. And, unfortunately, it's not at all undeserved. Ever since Fopp and Virgin left the city centre, HMV has been almost the sole purveyor of CDs and DVDs around. Sure, there's Spiller's for CDs, but most everything else is done online which is not exactly ideal for impulse buyers or people who need to purchase a gift right now. This monopoly has allowed them to crank prices up to obscene amounts. There is a silver lining here though; as no one is prepared to buy their preposterously over-priced wares, HMV has a massive sale approximately once every six hours and these sales are actually quite good value for money. You can collect DVDs and CDs in there for less than you'd pay online, which is quite nice and lets you feel smug for a little bit until you realise you've just fuelled that evil, money-hungry monster and helped validate the insane prices. Then you sigh, cry a little and maybe jump on Play.com to make up for it.

I'm writing this review begrudgingly, as I want all of the albums at this brand new shop for…read moremyself. Hot Wax Records has yet to launch officially, so please excuse the austere interior and lack of stock in place (there's not even a sign up, but owner Dave is still trading). Offering a wide selection of 12-inch albums, DVDs, modern collectibles, posters and comics, Hot Wax is one of Cardiff's newest "music and more" shops and soon to become my favourite place to spend money. I stumbled upon this jewel in the alluvial deposit that is Cowbridge Road East just the other day. Oh, but the vinyl, the glorious vinyl, many of which comprise my "dream collection" and most are all priced less than a fiver. If I didn't have somewhere to be, I would have happily spent the entire afternoon here, digging for musical treasure. Please note the store is closed from 1-2 for lunch, and as of last week the card machine system is not in place so only cash is accepted. Won't deter me, though!

You may of seen these DVD/Blu-Ray vending machines (POP)ping around town. They offer fairly new…read moredvd's for internet prices. They are also going to vend games and via your USB, downloads soon. They do some really good sales as little as £2.99 and is defiantly the cheapest place to get Blu-Rays on the high street. The only problem is that at the moment the catalogue isn't huge. You may have to wait a few weeks for a dvd that is already released elsewhere etc. Finally, for the kid inside us...How cool is it to have films come out of a vending machine? Answers at the usual address.

This is an idea that would've been both amazing and fantastic if internet shopping hadn't taken…read moreoff. Which, of course, it has. It's basically a vending machine for music and DVD's. It certainly offers better value than a lot of standard shops around town, mostly because they don't have to pay for any staff or very much floor space. They also give the option of downloading to a USB, which is a really smart way to incorporate the changing way people are receiving their media, but, again, legal downloads of films and music are becoming increasingly available across the internet, so it's not exactly going to save you money. It's the novelty of it that's appealing, I suppose. It's a sort of fusion of the old and new ways of shopping, and if it continues to offer a cheap alternative and word spreads it could become pretty popular. As it stands it's pretty tucked away and you'll have to go looking for it. Worth going along for a wee browse, though. You might find yourself a bargain.

Catapult does for Cardiff's urban dance music fans what Spillers does for indie, rock and…read morealternative fans. It sells CDs and vinyl spanning various genres (house, breaks, hardcore, dubstep, drum & bass, techno, hard dance, urban, etc). It's a haven for Cardiff's club DJs, and for anyone who's really into their club music. If you're not into clubbing, however, you may feel a bit out of place - or at the very least you're unlikely to find much in here that you recognise. But if you're looking for a present for someone and you're out of your depth, just ask the staff - they are incredibly approachable and go out of their way to help. They also sell DJ equipment, catering for everyone from professional DJs through to home spinners, plus some cool streetwear such as Aerosoul's Junglist Movement t-shirts and Catapult hoodies, plus record bags and metal boxes.

All hail the independent music shop. In a world where gems like this are dying out it's refreshing…read moreto see somewhere like Catapult still going strong. Cardiff is blessed with Spillers which satisfies the indie/rock/electronica fans but for folks who are into the harder stuff the Catapult is your best bet. Probably best described as 'Urban' you'll find Dubstep, Drum n' Bass and Jungle amongst other things. There's a massive range of top quality DJ equipment that gives me a headache just looking at it. So many buttons... but for the technically challenged folk like me there are gorgeous skull candy headphones and various other goodies that will enhance your listening experience not to mention a tone of vinyl and cd's which cover just about ever niche and specialty. All the cool kids go to Catapult.

Perhaps it is too early to write a review for a hall that has not yet opened. ( but I will !)…read more For many years the BBc National orchestra of Wales has rehersed in studio one in the BBC at Llandaf The studio was originaly designed for the then BBC Welsh Orchestra, a much smaller orchestra than the present one. They gave concerts open to the public frequently. When the orchestra was enlarged to its present size space was critical so the balcony was removed. The studio was still too small and not big enough to accomodate an audience. For some time the orchestra (and chorus) have rehersed in a very small and inadequate space. Another great disadvantage with the small studio it is that it acoustically dead, for not only do the players find it difficult to play in this environment, but when the recording is broadcast it has to be given artificial 'reverb' in order for the recording to sound natural .Some keen listeners can detect this unnatural addition. The new Hall promises to correct these difficulties. The BBC Hoddinot Hall ( named in memory of one of Wales's great composers Alun Hoddinott who was also professor of music at Cardiff University and an organiser of festivals and concerts. Now sadly deceased ) is opening in January 2009. The new hall not only gives the orchestra ample rehersal space, facillities for recording, and accomodation for an audience. (Holds about 350 people) The opening concert is on Thursday 22 January 2009 at 7.0pm with works by Hoddinott, Varese, Beethoven, Sibelius, and Ravel. Tickets from 0800 052 1812 See you there !

Well I suppose "The Record, Record Player, CD & Tape Shop" would have cost a lot more to have done…read moredown the sign shop. But for years I thought this place was strictly vinyl only, but no! There's a healthy selection for the devotees of other mediums of music. People always go one about the wondrous crackles and pops of vinyl but never have a positive word for the lovely, gentle, warm hiss inherent to tape. Bah! Anyway tucked down one of the side roads off Albany Road, this bright blue shed-like building will enthral music lovers of every generation with crate upon crate of tunage. Need an original 7" pressing of Pat Benatar's biggest hit (and who doesn't? Love IS a battlefield) or the final cover mounted mix CD from MUZIK magazine to complete your collection? Then this is the place for you. Less claustrophobic than D'vinyl round the corner, The Record Shop is one of the true gems of Cardiff.

Oh God... I don't want to write this review…read more Just like my review for Troutmark Books, I have been putting this particular review off for a long while. The reason for this is the same as Troutmark; these stores are relatively quiet and unknown. These places are my little secrets in Cardiff. Now, I would love nothing more for the places I love to succeed beyond their owner's wildest dreams. For all the great things I've gotten from these places, they deserve it. But in the back of my mind is the thought that maybe, by telling other people, I'm letting them get all the really, really good stuff before me. My level of paranoid devotion to The Record Shop should give you some idea of how absolutely amazing it is. This is a place to waste a few hours scouring through the boxes and old racks to get some fantastic albums you may have never considered before. And despite my distaste for the things, they have a vinyl section that impressed even me.