On Saturday April 22 and Sunday April 23, 2023, the Mega Record & CD Fair will take place in the Brabanthallen in ’s-Hertogenbosch. At this fair, which is being held for the 56th time, music lovers from all over the world come together to buy records, attend book presentations, see live performances and visit exhibitions. This Spring the fair will have an Herman Brood auction by Omega Aucions UK, Manuel Decker’s exhibition: ”The Pop Art Covers” plus more exhibitions and Meet & Greets.
Herman Brood AuctionDuring the 56th Mega Record & CD Fair Omega Auctions (UK) will hold an auction of an impressive and important Herman Brood Collection from the period 1976-1981. This original collection comes from a former bookings/tour agent and concert promoter of Brood and consists of unique drawings, poems, memorabilia, paintings and many more items made by Herman. Among other things, a painting of 2.30 m high and 5.00 m wide, a dummy book full of poems, drawings and memoirs, many concert posters, a large vinyl collection with some unique recordings and lots of memorabilia will be auctioned.
As a preview of his upcoming book ”Record Art Covers”, Manuel Decker presents a part of his collection dedicated to Pop Art record covers. Previously author of the books ”Records and Comics” and ”Tintin and Vinyls”. Finally ”Super-Heros and other creatures”, this relentless collector of illustrated covers. He is now tackling the ”Artistic Covers” (painters, illustrators, drawers) such as Picasso, Magritte, Dali, Keith Haring... and the Pop Art movement of course. Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Guy Pellaert have designed dozens of record covers with flashy and avant-garde designs. During this 56th edition of the Mega Record & CD Fair, Manuel Decker will exhibit a part of his Collection. Pop Art as well as another one dedicated to ”red lips covers”. A very original and photogenic theme that lends itself to be exhibited at the Record Fair but also - why not? - At home, in your living room.
The Blue Mask will play live songs from Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground that afternoon.
Lou Reed is one of the most influential musicians of all time. As the founder and composer of The Velvet Underground, whose debut album consistently ranks No. 1 on critics greatest albums of all time lists, he was at the center of the New York underground of the 1960s.
As a solo artist we know him from classics such as Perfect Day, Walk On The Wild Side, Vicious and Satellite of Love with themes such as relationships, love, drug abuse, paranoia and death. Lou’s cool, observing voice is central. Not always clean, but always honest.
Named after the 1982 album of the same name, The Blue Mask pays tribute to Lou Reed, the man and his music. They play the hits and various songs of Velvet Underground with great pleasure - recognizable and professional, but at the same time challenging with the typical rough edges. As Lou himself said: ”You can’t beat two guitars, a bass and drums!”
www.thebluemask.nl
We are proud to announce that we will be partnering with Wax Poetics this year. Wax Poetics is an American music magazine devoted to classic and contemporary jazz, funk, soul, Latin, hip hop, reggae, disco, house, techno, and R&B. The director of Wax Poetics, David Holt, will give an exclusive talk on our main stage during the fair.
Omega Auctions is backAfter an absence of three years (you know, something with corona and a Brexit) Omega Auctions from England is back at the record fair. We are very happy with that, because Omega Auctions is one of the best auction houses in the world for music memorabilia and vinyl. Every year, about 500,000 records go under the hammer at Omega Auctions. In addition to LPs, 7” singles and 12” singles, they also sell acetate, demos, CDs and tapes. All types of music are covered, but the emphasis is mainly on rock & pop, indie, soul, dance, jazz, punk, psych, soul, Northern soul, folk, blues and reggae.
More information will follow soon.
Looking back on a successful record fair November 12 & 13, 2022
What an energy and what a vibe! How we enjoyed the 55th edition of the record fair. We only saw happy faces and happy vinyl lovers. Just like in the spring, the fair took place in the Brabanthallen ’s-Hertogenbosch, where two gigantic halls were filled with records, CDs and more. Time for a review.
Great crowd
Compared to April there were more visitors and we are of course very happy with that. On Saturday there were long queues in front of the doors, so we opened them a little earlier because of the cold weather outside. Just everyone quickly into the heat and on to the record crates.
Music in Literature
At this fair, which was held for the 55th time, music lovers from all over the world came together to buy records, but also to attend book presentations. For example, there was a lot of enthusiastic audience during the interview with writer Ben Merlis and photographer George DuBose about their hip-hop book ’Goin’ Off’. Various writers also presented their new books: Hans Pokora ’9001 Record Collector Dreams’, Peter Sijnke and Jan Pen ’Tegenkultuur’ and Bert Middelbos and Raymond van Olphen ’And Venus was her name’. There were also stands, such as that of Concerto Books, with all kinds of beautiful book publications.
Artists and record turners
And what is a record fair without live music? Once again we welcomed several artists to our stage. We were able to enjoy the wonderful garage rock of The Tambles, the bluesy country of Kathleen Willems, the nederpop of Erik Messi. Record turners Brown Acid, Coco Maria, Miss Twist and Yorick van Norden also created an unforgettable atmosphere on the exhibition floor.
Music talks
Listening to music is nice, but talking about it is also fun, so there was a talk show at the record fair for the first time. As is often the case with new things, there is occasional improvisation, but all in all it was a great talk show: substantively strong with very interesting exchanges, findings and trends. To be repeated.
Super Sunday
Sunday is traditionally a quieter day, but this time it was far from that. Despite the beautiful autumn weather, visitors came to ’s-Hertogenbosch in great numbers. Some exhibitors were ’victims’ of the great success of this 55th edition: they were completely sold out on Sunday morning.
Will you be there next time? On 21, 22 and 23 April 2023, the greatest vinyl show on earth will take place again in the Brabanthallen ’s-Hertogenbosch. Until then!
Just some comments from visitors:
Charlie Alex
Germany
’The best and biggest Record Fair I’ve ever visited. It was so awesome.’
Eric ter Horst
The Netherlands
’Was a super day, found many beautiful records. Made use of the pendulum, very pleasant. Very well organized. On to next time!’
Miguel Benoit
Belgium
’Best record fair ever!’
Nico van Kreuningen
The Netherlands
’It was great again! Thanks for the organization. Very well done.’
