24/11/2025
Since opening its doors in 1988, Big Star has established a reputation as Adelaide's best-loved record store.
Generations of local music lovers have discovered their favourite bands in the record stacks and legendary basement gigs.
And while many customers first encountered the Rundle Street store, the original Big Star was located at 160 Magill Road.
“When it opened in 1988, the owners didn't have enough stock to fill the shop,” recalls Darren McBain.
“So I became the first consignment customer – I gave them 2,000 records from my collection to make the shop look more substantial.”
In the decades since, he worked at Big Star as the business expanded to six stores, left to run CC Records and recorded many prominent local bands at Big Sound studios.
During his 45 years in the music industry, Darren has adapted to the arrival of CDs, illegal downloads and streaming.
But through it all, Big Star Magill remained a constant, and this year he took full ownership of the store.
Now, he says, things have come full circle.
“In the late 80s and early 90s, people couldn't get out of records quick enough to get into CDs,” he recalls.
“I'd come to the shop and there would be boxes of records on the doorstep.
Now it's gone the other way and physical digital media – CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays – is pretty much over as a format because young people can get it all on their mobile phones.”
But Darren still sees customers of all ages coming in to buy records.
“Even if they don't have a turntable, they could be buying them to stick on the wall,” he says.
“There's just something more tangible about vinyl than CD.”
And for those customers who don't own a turntable, Darren has the solution.
Mayor Robert Bria presenting Darren with a 25+year Mayor's Business Commendaition Award
His first major act as owner has been to give the shop a refit that preserves its classic character but brings in a lot more natural light.
“If you haven't visited in a while, you walk in and it's hard to believe that it's actually the same place.”
But an even bigger change is on the way.
In January, the back storeroom will be transformed into a showroom for HiFi equipment called Analog Fix.
“I've been a [UK HiFi brand] Rega dealer for a decade, but I'll be incorporating vintage gear as well,” says Darren.
“Everything vintage will be checked out and serviced, and will carry a warranty.
And I can fit cartridges and tone arms or sell pre-amps, which are the most important part of an analog system.”
With Analog Fix and Big Star sharing the premises, 160 Magill Road will become a one-stop shop “where you can come in and buy records and CDs, or get a really good turntable and some useful advice.”
After almost half a century in the game, Darren wants to help the next generation of record lovers discover the beauty of vintage vinyl.
“Between my experience in the HiFi and record games and my association with studios, I'm one of the most experienced audio guys in Adelaide,” he says.
“And it seems like records are here to stay, so I want to share my knowledge and turn young people - or old people - onto analog.”
Visit today
160 Magill Road, Norwood
F: /Big-Star-Records
