Vinyl is back

A growing number of Hyderabadis are tuning into a slower, more intentional way of experiencing music — through vinyl. Over the past weekend, Record Store Day was marked with a small but spirited vinyl bazaar at a coffeehouse in Banjara Hills that doubles up as a cultural space, hosting curated sets and listening sessions. For many attendees though, it wasn’t just about nostalgia — it was about rediscovering the joy of analog sound and building community through shared listening. As turntables spin again across the city, Hyderabad Times set out to understand what’s drawing people back to vinyl — and what it says about the way we engage with music today.
More than music: Memory in motion
The resurgence of vinyl is more than a listening trend — it’s a cultural current. People are not just buying records, they’re showing up to listen, talk, and connect. “My grandfather had a huge vinyl collection — Sinatra, old Hindi classics, even some early blues. I didn’t understand it then, but now, listening to these on a record feels like I’m sitting beside him again,” said Navros Palikar, a regular at local listening gatherings. “These sessions feel like cultural campfires, where strangers bond over shared nostalgia and the crackle of a well-loved LP. It’s a space where music becomes memory, and every record played opens a window into someone’s world,” he added.
‘It’s not just about old music or nostalgia’
Younger listeners in the city are gravitating toward vinyl as a way to disconnect from the fast scroll of digital life. The act of browsing through records, dropping the needle, and letting an album play uninterrupted offers a kind of presence rarely found in today’s on-demand culture.

“It’s not just about old music or nostalgia,” said Vivek Pathak, a Gen Z listener who attended his first vinyl session over the weekend. “You can’t scroll, you can’t skip. You just sit with the music — and sometimes that’s exactly what your mind needs.”

Analog appeal in a digital world
In a city where streaming is just a tap away, vinyl might seem like an unlikely comeback. But for many, its charm lies precisely in its slower, more deliberate rhythm.
“Life’s gotten too fast, too noisy, so we’re going back to vinyl. It’s peaceful, vintage, and original,” said Harshita Mutha, who attended her first vinyl session recently.
“There’s a magic in the analog sound — the warm crackle, the depth, the imperfection. Playing a whole album isn’t just listening, it’s experiencing music the way it was meant to be felt — and every vinyl lover embraces that,” said Navkar Mehta, organiser of the vinyl bazaar.
“You can’t pick just one favourite vinyl — it’s about the experience. Whether it’s Pink Floyd, ABBA or ACDC, vinyl gives you music in its purest form. The sound is fuller, richer. If you love music, you want to feel it,” said
Gaurav Dhawal
My love for vinyl started with my brother’s turntable, but it truly hit when I heard the analog sound for the first time — it was raw, real, unforgettable. Now I’ve got 18 records and a Pink Floyd tattoo to match – Zarvan Patel
I grew up listening to vinyl on my dad’s old gramophone — ABBA, Boney M, Cat Stevens — it was magic. Over time it all faded, but vinyls are the purest form of music. It’s an experience, not just a play button – Shravan K
I’m Gen Z, but I’m not here for shuffle mode. Vinyls make you slow down. You can’t skip, you can’t scroll. You just sit with the music — and sometimes that’s exactly what your mind needs – Vivek Pathak
– Sarmistha Ganguli