Watch Last Shop Standing

Last Shop Standing is a documentary film from 2012 that explores the rise, fall and resurrection of the British record shop. The film opens with a quote from Winston Churchill that reads: "The empires of the future are the empires of the mind". This quote sets the tone for the film and underscores the importance of independent music shops in Britain's cultural history.

Throughout the film, director Pip Piper interviews various record shop owners, musicians and industry insiders about the challenges that have faced independent record shops over the years. Various experts give their opinions, including Billy Bragg and Paul Weller, who are both passionate about the importance of independent music shops.

The film traces the history of British music retail from the birth of the gramophone in the early 20th century through to the present day. Along the way, we learn about the rise and fall of the high street giants such as HMV, Virgin and Tower Records, and the subsequent resurgence of smaller record shops. The film also explores the impact of the internet and digital downloads on the record industry, which nearly destroyed it completely.

One of the key themes of the film is the idea that record shops have always served as cultural hubs and community centers. Record shops were places where people could discover new music, make new friends and develop their identity. In the pre-internet era, a trip to the record shop was an adventure in itself, and record shops were a vital part of the fabric of local communities. The film argues that independent record shops continue to play an important role in contemporary British culture, in spite of the challenges that they face.

The film is also a tribute to the passion and dedication of record shop owners. They may not be wealthy, but they are driven by a love of music and a desire to share it with others. The film features interviews with many shop owners who have weathered the storms of the music industry and are still standing. They talk frankly about the challenges that they face, including rising rents, high business rates and competition from online retailers. Despite these challenges, they remain optimistic about the future of independent record shops.

The film is also a celebration of British music, featuring interviews with musicians from across the spectrum of genres. We hear from heavy metal icon Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, rock legend Johnny Marr, and DJ Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim). There are also interviews with representatives of independent record labels, including Rough Trade and 4AD, who talk about their relationship with record shops and the importance of supporting them.

The film is informative and engaging throughout, and there are plenty of anecdotes and stories to keep the viewer entertained. The interviews with record shop owners are particularly illuminating, as they provide a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of independent music retail. There are also some great historical clips and photographs from the heyday of British record shops.

Overall, Last Shop Standing is an entertaining and thought-provoking documentary that makes a strong case for the ongoing value of independent record shops. It provides a timely reminder that record shops are much more than just places to buy music – they are cultural institutions that play a vital role in our communities. The film is a must-see for anyone with an interest in music, history or small business.

Last Shop Standing is a 2012 music movie with a runtime of 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.