Quicksilver Music in Southport gets ready to celebrate Record Store Day UK 2022

A quality, independent record store in Southport is starting its vinyl countdown to this year’s Record Store Day UK.

Quicksilver Music has been a popular fixture in Southport town centre since it opened on Market Street, opposite the side of Southport Market, in July 2009.

Owner Dave Thornley will be opening his doors at 8am – but often sees the queues start as early as 4am!

Some superb merchandise, including free Record Store Day free t-shirts, will be given out to the first people in the queue.

Dave said: “Record Store Day UK has a great atmosphere and my customers have always been so supportive of the event.”

This year’s Record Store Day, supported by BBC Sounds, will take place on Saturday, 23rd April 2022.

The growingly popular event is the one day of the year when over 260 independent record shops all across the UK, including Quicksilver Music, come together to celebrate their unique culture. Special vinyl releases are made exclusively for the day and many shops host artist performances and events to mark the occasion.

Thousands more shops celebrate the day around the globe in what’s become one of the biggest annual events on the music calendar.

Quicksilver Music owner Dave Thornley said: “I opened Quicksilver Music in July 2009 after being made redundant, using my own guitars, records and CDs as stock.

“I worked in record shops when I was younger and had always wanted to have my own shop.

“I sell Vinyl and CDs, mainly classic rock from the 60s and 70s, but also jazz, Blues, and Indie.

“I believe an Independent Record Shop is important in keeping our high street alive and diverse.

“It’s a great place to meet people with a passion for music, and find out about local gigs, and buy local bands music. You get the chance to physically look through albums and get personal recommendations, so you can pick something up you might never have done scrolling online.”

Dave describes the favourite part of his job as “discovering new music and chatting with customers”.

Record Store Day is an opportunity for music fans to visit Quicksilver Music to chat to like-minded people and to find those hidden gems that every music collection needs.

Dave said: “I’ve really got to know my customers’ tastes over the years. When I’m out record hunting, I often pick up stuff that I know people are on the hunt for. You can only get this kind of personal touch, when you shop and support local.

“I participate in Record Store Day every year. It’s a special event where you can pick up exclusive limited releases only from your local record shop.This Year it’s on 23rd April.

“I will be open from 8am, but the queues start outside from around 4am or earlier!

“It’s a great atmosphere and my customers have always been so supportive of the event.

“Vinyl has definitely made a welcome comeback over the last few years. There is nothing like having something tangible like a vinyl record in your hand, opening the sleeve, staring at the cover and reading the lyrics and putting the needle down on that first track. You attach memories to records, and an experience is created as you listen.

Dave Thornley, owner of Quicksilver Music on Market Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

“Among my favourite artists and bands are Quicksilver Messenger Service (who I named my shop after), Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Gene Clark, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Cocteau Twins, Talk Talk and Blue Nile…… too many to mention! The great thing about owning my own record shop is I can bring stuff home all the time to listen too and keep discovering new music.

“I regularly buy second-hand vinyl collections, which sometimes contain forgotten photos, letters and love notes tucked inside; some have been quite raunchy!

“I have been doing a weekly Facebook video on a Saturday for years, where I address the vinyl nation, showing new stock, and generally making a bit of a plonker of myself, but it’s been hugely popular and due to popular demand I continued this during lockdown, with weekly competitions and local deliveries, so I could stay in touch with everyone.

“Mike Badger, co-founder of The La’s, played in the shop on our very first Record Store Day event.

“Will from Echo & The Bunnymen often pops in, he actually bought a double neck guitar from me!

“We’ve also had book signings with Danny Thompson and visits from Steeleye Span too.”

Dave Thornley, owner of Quicksilver Music on Market Street in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media

Even when Quicksilver Music is closed it is making a statement, thanks to the eye-catching street art featuring legendary American gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

Dave said: “The fabulous graffiti of Hunter S.Thompson on the shop shutter was done during an Urban Art & Street Painting Festival in Southport in 2011.”

Also making waves over the past year has been the successful opening of the new-look Southport Market, into an exciting new food, drink and events venue.

T-shirts for Record Store Day at Quicksilver Music in Southport

The Market was officially opened in July last year after a £1.4million transformation led by Sefton Council, with £900,000 funding through the Government’s Town Deal programme and £500,000 from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Dave said: “The reinvention of Southport Market has created a welcome revival of the ‘Market Quarter’.

“People have been desperate for something like this in our town, and on weekends especially, I get a lot more people through my door because of it.”

• Quicksilver Music is situated at 24 Market Street, Southport town centre, PR8 1HJ, phone: 01704 542939, visit: www.quicksilvermusic.co.uk

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