A Music Lover’s Gift Guide: Advice and suggestions from people in the industry

With only one weekend left until Christmas, shopping for last minute gifts or finding something for a person with specific and particular tastes may feel daunting. 

It doesn’t have to be. 

If your hard-to-shop-for person is a music or concert lover, then local venues and record stores in the Capital Region can help. From Last Vestige to Proctors to local bands, the list of possible gifts are numerous. 

We went straight to local experts to find gift ideas and advice that will hopefully have the music aficionado in your life singing your praises this holiday season. Check out what we found:

Last Vestige Music Shop, 173 Quail St., Albany 

Last Vestige is a record store in Albany but it’s also a one-stop shop for all things music. From new, used and rare vinyls, CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes to protective sleeves, headphones and used turntables, the music shop is dedicated to music lovers of all ages. 

Since 2005, there has been a significant increase in the number of vinyl records sold, making 2022 the 17th consecutive year for a rise in vinyl sales, according to The Guardian. In the first six months of 2023 alone, 17 million vinyl records were sold in the United States. Stars like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo have made vinyl part of their marketing strategies with Swift’s “Midnights” album selling over 250,000 vinyl copies in 2023 after its October 2022 release.

Last Vestige’s manager Kim 13, as she goes by, says buying gifts depends on tastes but agrees that vinyl records are a popular gift. She also has a solution for the decision impaired. 

“When it comes to music, people have such varied tastes that I think a gift certificate to a music store, like ours, would be a good idea,” she said. “Or a Taylor Swift record, lol.”

If that special someone on your list wants to start buying records, she suggests buying a turntable with some records to pair with it. 

Super 400, www.super400.com

While records are currently a fairly reliable gift, there’s a large variety of local bands and venues that offer tickets and merchandise at affordable prices. Music lovers know the importance of supporting their favorite artists or groups, especially if they’re local. 

Super 400, a rock band from Troy, knows music, fans, and the power of shopping local. 

Lori Friday, bassist for the band and co-founder of The Troy Music Academy, said a music fan form the Capital Region would appreciate a selection of items from their favorite band’s website but there are other local goods that could make the perfect gift too. 

“Most bands offer unique t-shirts, vinyl albums, pins, hats and more,” she said. “Local is the best for gift giving, ask an area artisan to customize a necklace, handbag or scarf with a band name or logo. Some artists love creative and unique projects and whatever you purchase from them will be one of a kind.” 

Friday said purchasing advance tickets to an upcoming concert or making your own gift certificate granting the recipient a night out at a show of their choice at places like Lark Hall or The Hangar, could be options too. 

“Other ideas like a gift certificate to Last Vestige in Albany or Soundhouse Records in Troy would please any audiophile,” she added. 

The Proctors Collaborative, https://proctorscollaborative.org 

Music can expand past concerts and recordings into theater, dancing and family-friendly programs. If you want a musical present, think about musical performances at Proctors, Capital Repertory Theatre (The REP) or Universal Preservation Hall (UPH). 

In the new year, all three venues have exciting events ranging from shows like a Taylor Swift Laser Dance Party to Annie to Sweat—a play based on the loss of work in America’s Rust Belt. 

“Coming up at UPH in January, we have Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding (Jan. 18-21) and the Taylor Swift Laser Dance Party (Jan. 27). At Proctors, we have some great family-friendly programming in Annie (Jan 9-14), Dinosaur World Live (Jan. 19) and SSSO [Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra] will be doing “Animaniacs: In Concert” (Feb. 24). And our next show at theREP is “Sweat” (March 8-31),” Communications Manager at Proctors Collaborative, Jessica Sims said. 

Buying a Proctors Collaborative gift card that works at all venues and can be purchased for any amount is also the gift that Sims assuredly recommends. 

It’s unanimous: shop local 

Buying from a local venue can be an easy way to grab last minute gifts, and people often forget how impactful a purchase like this can be.

Jim Gilbert, publisher of Nippertown and well-known music lover, said when buying from local venues, you’re giving in two ways. 

He said, you’re gifting something unique to a loved one but you’re also giving back to the community.

Super 400’s Friday echoes that sentiment. “The local options are endless. And you are supporting the economy where you live and breathe.”

“Buy tickets to a local music venue. Any of them. Fuck Live Nation. Print the tickets and fold them into an envelope. Great stocking stuffer,” said August Rosa of No Fun Troy, 275 River St., a hub for experimental music whose goal is to get people to new shows and to experience new music.