Diverse Music

A chronic shortage of independent record shops isn’t exactly a problem limited to Newport’s somewhat culturally backward streets (backward, that is, aside a few notable exceptions fighting the good fight). But Diverse is a real beacon on the city’s musical landscape, a compact goldmine of the latest sounds, stocking a wide range of new releases and back catalogue records from chart stars to cult name artists across almost every genre. The agoraphobic and those who don’t live nearby needn’t miss out, as Diverse operate a comprehensive mail order service (plus an eBay store) and go one further than the average record emporium by running their own label, specialising in pressing vinyl runs of records otherwise unavailable on wax. See
for their impressive catalogue. The staff enjoy strong links to the South Wales music scene and even gained a bit of personal notoriety in 2009 — including national tabloid features — for a cheeky Diverse calendar, recreating classic album covers in fancy dress.