BadstueRock is an independent record shop in Aarhus, Denmark. Located on Badstuegade in the Latin Quarter, it opened in 1973 and has remained in the same small central location for more than five decades.
The shop carries both new and second-hand music, with vinyl and CDs forming the core of the stock. Smaller sections include DVDs, music books and other related items. Rock has always been central to BadstueRock’s identity, while the broader selection also includes hard rock, heavy metal, punk, alternative, indie, jazz, blues, electronic music and many other genres.
BadstueRock was founded by Mick D’Astugues, who was in his early twenties when the shop opened. In its early years, the store built close connections with the independent music business and imported releases that were difficult to find through ordinary Danish retailers.
The shop became an important Danish distributor for the British independent label Stiff Records, whose catalogue included artists such as Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Wreckless Eric. BadstueRock also became involved in releasing music itself, including an early single by Danish punk band Johnny Concrete.
D’Astugues ran the shop for nearly four decades before retiring in 2012. BadstueRock was then taken over by Björn Lydén, who had already worked there since 2003, together with business partners. Under the new ownership, vinyl was given renewed focus at a time when interest in records was beginning to grow again.
Much of the old character of the shop has been kept. Vintage music posters from the 1970s and 1980s cover the walls, while records and CDs fill most of the available space. The result is a compact, old-school record shop where the long history of the place is still visible.
BadstueRock has also functioned as a small cultural meeting point in Aarhus. It has taken part in Record Store Day and has hosted in-store concerts, artist appearances, signings and release events. The BadstueRock Records name has also been used for releases connected to local artists.
ADDRESS:
Badstuegade 22, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
Back to Aarhus.