On November 16th, Record Raid will return to The Howlin’ Wolf (907 S Peters St) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with over 25 vendors selling new and used vinyl LPs, 45s, CDs, Cassettes and more. There is a $5 entry fee for early entrance at 10am, and after 11am entry is free. The music for sale spans all genres and vintages, and ranges from cheap classics to build a new vinyl collection to sought-after rarities for niche enthusiasts. Record Raid is the largest record show in Louisiana, and has been bringing music lovers together since it began as the WTUL Record Fair in 2010.
Vinyl sales have been on the rise since the early 2000’s, but in post-COVID times prices for new vinyl have skyrocketed, with many popular records reaching over $40 per album. Additionally, rising postage rates have made online vinyl shopping less appealing for collectors. However, buying used records locally avoids these issues, and record shows as Record Raid give a chance for music fans to expand their collection affordably.
Record Raid’s vendors span across many specialties and include some notable personalities. It includes DJs such as WWOZ’s “Ol Man River”, Former WWOZ DJ Jivin’ Gene, and WTUL’s Hunter King. Some record stores make appearances, such as Bay St. Louis’ Good Earth Records and Alabama’s Mobile Records and New Orleans’ Sisters in Christ. All of these stores were vendors before they set up a brick and mortar location, a claim shared by Euclid Records New Orleans and Lafayette’s Lagniappe Records. Over the years, many Record Raid customers learn which vendors best represent their tastes, and make a bee-line for their tables each time. However, it’s also an opportunity for amateurs who can’t afford a store to make some extra money off of their hobby, or even just make some space in their home.
Record Raid has a history of setting up in places with a funkier ambience than the hotel conference rooms many record shows take place in. This will be its third time at the central business district music venue Howlin’ Wolf, which matches the character of the event and adds the perks of onsite food and drink, giving music fans a nice place to chat while they compare their hauls. Also adding to the lively ambience will be DJs spinning rare and interesting music throughout the day.
Record Raid was started by WTUL DJ Hunter King, who had been to similar record shows outside of Louisiana and thought New Orleans should have one too. “I had met a bunch of voracious record collectors from showing up early to garage sales. I realized a lot of these people could be vendors,” remarks King. He says there’s a greater purpose to the event, “I’ve learned so much about music history, and history in general, just from wading through piles of records. It gives you a less filtered look at what people appreciated. I want that experience to be more accessible.”
Learn more at www.recordraid.com.
