Sydney Scores A New Record Store, Live Music Space

Sydney music lovers, there’s a new spot to add to your crate-digging itinerary.

Independent music merch company Jungle Merchandise is celebrating its ninth birthday by opening Jungle HQ, a new record store, event space and music industry hub in the heart of Marrickville.

“It’s a place built around music culture… Support artists, not algorithms.”

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Opening its doors to the public this August, the new Inner West digs will be part traditional record store and part community music space, hosting everything from album launches and artist pop-ups to intimate live performances, acoustic sets and fan events, alongside curated collections of vinyl and merch.

It marks the first public-facing space from Jungle Merchandise, which began life in a Newtown share house back in 2017.

Since then, the homegrown operation has expanded into a 12-person team working across merch strategy, design, production, touring, eCommerce and fulfilment for some fairly gigantic names, including Metallica, AC/DC, Fred again.., Lewis Capaldi, Delta Goodrem, Crowded House, Ian Moss and Alex Warren.

For Jungle founder and CEO Jim Sewell, the new space is about creating something physical in an increasingly digital music landscape.

“Streaming has made music more accessible than ever, but it has also made it less tangible,” Sewell said in a statement.

“People still want to own something. They want to collect records, wear the shirt from the show, meet the artist and share those moments with other fans.

“That’s what Jungle HQ is about. It’s a place built around music culture, not just music retail. Support artists, not algorithms.”

And given Sydney’s well-documented struggles with losing live music venues and independent cultural spaces over the years, another small-format room where artists can actually get face-to-face with their fans certainly isn’t a bad thing.

Jungle HQ will officially christen the new space with a public launch party on Saturday, 22nd August, running from midday until 5pm.

The opening bash will feature a live performance from Sydney rockers RAGEFLOWER, with more artists and programming still to be announced. Young Henrys and Heaps Normal are also jumping aboard for the festivities.

You can suss the launch details below.