Oasis Vinyl Hunting London: Finding Rare Records at a Top Shop

The Ultimate Guide to Oasis Vinyl Hunting in London

After a reflective pilgrimage to the Royal Albert Hall, where the ghost of Noel Gallagher’s legendary acoustic set still lingers, my journey continued. I was headed to a personal sanctuary: Music & Video Exchange in Notting Hill. This isn’t just another record shop; it’s a place I’ve been visiting since my student days back in 2001, a treasure trove of musical history.

Finding rare Oasis records has become a formidable challenge in recent years. Indeed, a perfect storm of the global vinyl resurgence and persistent Oasis reunion rumors has made their early pressings incredibly scarce. But giving up isn’t an option. When in London, the patrol for Oasis gems is a ritual, a mandatory quest for any devoted fan.

Navigating the Notting Hill Record Stores: A Crate Digger’s Diary

I arrived on a bustling Saturday afternoon. The shop was packed with fellow music lovers, each deeply engrossed in their search. The energy was palpable; you could feel the collective hope of unearthing something special. The store’s classic black-and-white facade felt as welcoming as ever, a familiar sight in the vibrant neighborhood.

Exterior of the Music and Video Exchange store featuring a black sign with white text offering records, CDs, and DVDs, with window displays full of vinyl covers like The Smiths and promotional signs. — A daytime return to the Music and Video Exchange. The shop was bustling with music fans on a Saturday afternoon.

Oasis 'The Shock of the Lightning' 7-inch vinyl record in a store bin with a price tag — Found in the Indie section: Oasis’s ‘The Shock of the Lightning’ 7-inch single

I immediately made my way to the Indie section, my fingers flipping through the ‘O’ dividers with practiced speed. No LPs, no 12-inch singles. A familiar disappointment. I moved on to the 7-inch bin. There, I spotted ‘The Shock of the Lightning.’ A great find, though already in my collection.

Hand holding a Liam Gallagher — Discovering Liam Gallagher’s solo 7-inch “Wall of Glass” in the record bins

Nearby sat Liam Gallagher’s solo single, ‘Wall of Glass.’ Another one I own, but it’s always a thrill to see them in the wild. The vinyl hunt was proving difficult, just as I’d expected.

Cassette tape of Blur's album 'The Ballad of Darren' sitting on a handwritten shop inventory card — A cassette copy of Blur’s ‘The Ballad of Darren’ priced at £9

A quick detour to the cassette section revealed not Oasis, but Blur’s latest album, ‘The Ballad of Darren.’ A fine album from their Britpop rivals, but not what I came for. It felt like today might not be my day.

Inside Music & Video Exchange: A Haven for Rare Oasis Records

Oasis CD singles displayed in a record store bin behind a divider labeled CD SINGLES N/O — Piles of Oasis Creation era singles found in the CD section

Just as I was about to concede defeat, I spotted the ‘CD SINGLES’ section. Why not? I thought. It was a decision that changed everything. The bins were overflowing with Creation-era Oasis singles, most priced at a mere £2. My heart began to race.

This was more than I could have hoped for. Sifting through the jewel cases, I unearthed one gem after another. It was a reminder that sometimes, the real treasure is found where you least expect it.

Unearthing Rare Oasis Records: From CD Singles to Promo Grails

Oasis singles and songbooks including Dig Out Your Soul and Morning Glory in a record store bin — Rare Oasis singles and items found at the Music & Fashion Exchange record store.

I pulled out four incredible items. A songbook for ‘Dig Out Your Soul,’ likely a freebie from an NME magazine. An Australian-exclusive ‘Morning Glory’ single with live tracks from Glastonbury ’95. A promotional EP for ‘Stop the Clocks.’ And the bonus CD from the ‘…There and Then’ VHS. It was an astonishing haul.

Three Eric Clapton CD singles—Motherless Child, Change The World, and Tears in Heaven—resting on a stack of vinyl records in a bargain bin — Nostalgic Eric Clapton single CDs found in the Rock & Pop bargain bin.

My luck continued as I found a few nostalgic Eric Clapton singles in the bargain bin for next to nothing. This place truly rewards a thorough search.

A wooden bin filled with various CDs, featuring a handwritten sign that reads 'PROMO CD ALBUMS' and 'PRE-RELEASE FREEBIES ETC'. — A dedicated section for promo CD albums and pre-release freebies found in a music store.

Then, my eyes caught a handwritten sign that made me do a double-take: ‘PROMO CD ALBUMS.’ This was the promised land. I dove in, my hands shaking slightly with anticipation.

Why Music & Video Exchange is one of the Best Record Shops in London for Oasis Fans

And there it was. A discovery so serendipitous it felt like destiny. It was the official 2007 recording of Noel Gallagher’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall, ‘The Dreams We Have as Children.’ I had just been standing on that hallowed ground hours earlier. To find this specific album, on this specific day, was a moment of pure magic.

As I detailed in my recent post, ‘A Pilgrimage to the Royal Albert Hall: Chasing the Ghost of Noel Gallagher’s Legendary Oasis Gig‘, that performance is a masterclass in songwriting. Holding the CD felt like holding a piece of that history. Alongside it, I found a Beady Eye promo CD, perfectly representing the brothers’ separate paths.

CDs in a record store bargain bin, including Liam Gallagher's 'Carnation' cover and a Tailgunner promo CD featuring Noel Gallagher — Rare finds in the bins: Liam Gallagher’s cover of ‘Carnation’ and a Tailgunner promo CD with Noel Gallagher on drums

The crate-digging gods were smiling on me. I also unearthed a promo single of Liam’s cover of The Jam’s ‘Carnation’ and a rare sampler from Tailgunner, a project featuring Noel on drums. These were deep cuts, the kind of finds that make any collector’s day.

A Practical Guide for Your Visit

For anyone planning their own pilgrimage, Music & Video Exchange is located just a short walk from Notting Hill Gate station. It’s the heart of a cluster of exchange shops, making it a perfect hub for a day of hunting. Be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends. For a more relaxed experience, try a weekday.

Official Website: http://mfeshops.com/

Google Map:

Final Thoughts on My Oasis Vinyl Hunting London Adventure

I left the store with a bag full of treasures and a renewed sense of excitement. While finding rare Oasis records on vinyl is tougher than ever, this trip proved that incredible finds are still out there if you broaden your search to CDs and promos. The key is persistence.

This experience was a powerful reminder that record shopping in a city like London is about more than just transactions. It’s about connecting with the music’s history, about the thrill of the hunt, and the magic of an unexpected discovery. I’m glad I didn’t give up.

Now, with my musical soul satisfied, it’s time for the next adventure: Dover Street Market, in search of rare sneakers and Stüssy!

Oasis Vinyl Hunting in London: A Deep Dive into Music & Video Exchange