Local Gift Ideas for Music Lovers
One of the elements of our local arts and culture scene we missed dearly in 2020 was live music. While some shows still occurred safely, most concerts and festivals were forced to postpone due to safety concerns. As we looked for ways to keep the music going in our lives at home, we were reminded of how lucky we are to have so many incredible local businesses that sell music, instruments, and more!
If you have someone on your list this year who plays an instrument or simply loves to collect records, CDs, and other types of music, you're in luck. There are a lot of great options to gift this year by shopping locally. Here are just some of the ways you could give the gift of music this year to the rockstar in your life!
MUSIC TO OUR EARS!
It’s only fair to say we have a number of ways to make the music lovers in your life happy this holiday season. For the rock stars in your life, Corson Music is the place to be for percussionists and drummers. Guitarists can pick up new amps, music, and vintage guitars at The Upper Bout to help them go from the practice room to the big stage! Exile on Main St. has a massive selection of LPs and turntables for seasoned vinyl fans and See You CD & Vinyl offers great options for new and old ways of listening! Another great option is Record Swap. Originally opened in 1979, this Midtown stop is great for deep cuts and favorite hits from decades past. If you’re looking for a new speaker set-up, ARS Harmonia is a saving grace for audiophiles, featuring handmade, custom speakers that are sure to blow friends and family away! Champaign-Urbana is home to a killer music scene that lends itself to great local shopping options. While we won't see indoor shows this season, we can't wait to watch live streams of some of our favorite local acts.
Looking for more inspiration for shopping local this holiday season? We have a lot of different topics for gifting friends and family something local on our blog, and you can always rely on our 2020 Shop Local Guide for more help! Happy holidays, and thanks for shopping local!