Angus Kidman – anguskidman.show

I’ve been tracking the crappy semi-bootleg vinyl records sold at ALDI for 3 years now. The latest batch to go on sale represent a new sort of low: there are absolutely no new-to-ALDI titles in the mix. This is all junk which ALDI has sold before.

The next ALDI vinyl flogging festival kicks off in Australia on Friday 25 April 2026. Here are the salient details:

• It’s not the usual Saturday because that’s Anzac Day and hence all supermarkets are closed. ALD usually has a vinyl sale in April, but hasn’t clashed with Anzac Day directly in recent years.
• The price remains $17.99 per disc, unchanged since Christmas 2024.
• As per usual, the majority of these records are grey market bootlegs,
  sourced from radio broadcasts made more than 20 years ago. That makes them “legal” under some European country copyright laws and able to be imported into Australia. But the artists involved don’t make a cent from then, which sucks.
• As usual, ALDI is offering a turntable as part of the vinyl sale. This time it’s a “Rechargeable Vintage Turntable” for $69.99, which I haven’t seen in the catalogue before. Offered in beige, black or sage green, it promises a 3-hour playtime. Honestly, folks, the lack of portability and ease of damage was a huge reason why vinyl got ditched for CDs back in the day. Let’s not pretend playing records at a BBQ is any better now.

Here’s the full set of 10 titles, along with links to when they were previously on sale.

And for those who are curious, here’s where the contents actually originate.

• The Beatles, Greatest Hits . . . Live. Various radio broadcasts from 1964 and 1965, in particularly low-quality audio.
• The Cure, Live 1985. Radio broadcast of a Cleveland concert from 22 October 1985.
• Guns ‘N’ Roses, Sweet Child O Mine. Radio broadcast of a New York concert from 2 February 1988.
• Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Greatest Hits . . . Live. Various radio broadcasts from 1980, 1981 and 1982.
• Cyndi Lauper, Greatest Hits. Various radio broadcasts from 1981 and 1983. The 1981 date means it’s a recording of ‘I’m Gonna Be Strong’ from Cyndi’s time in Blue Angel, not a solo gig.
• Stevie Nicks, Greatest Hits . . . Live. Various radio broadcasts from 1981, 1989, 1991 and 1994.
• Nirvana, Smells Like Live Spirit. Radio broadcasts from 1991 and an MTV performance from 1993.
• Elvis Presley, Love Songs. The one actually licensed original recording in this batch, with a selection of well-known early Elvis tracks alongside some lesser covers.
• The Ramones, Greatest Hits . . . Live. Various radio broadcasts from 1977 through to 1982.
• Various Artists, 70’s Disco. This one isn’t a radio bootleg, but most of the tracks are re-recordings or live performances by the original artist, usually from years after when the actual track was a hit. Avoid.

I’m aware that most ALDI shoppers won’t bother to check and these will sell out quickly. But you can do better, for yourself and for the musicians.