RELICS Music & Hifi

One block down from the infamous Octagon, RELICS Music & Hifi on George Street has been soothing the ears of Dunedinites since 2013. Owned, operated, and staffed by musicians, audio specialists, and record store veterans, even founders Irene and Dave met in a record shop a few decades back.   

It’s just about the perfect nook for music lovers to flock to. Slotted at the bottom of a heritage beauty with Art Deco flair, RELICS leans into the archway aesthetic. Scoot through the mosaic-tiled entrance to discover a space that unfolds room by room. Navy walls are crowded with gig posters and vintage mirrors, stepped-milk-glass pendants float overhead, and a mustard sofa beckons those in for the long haul. You’re encouraged not only to slow down, but to lose an entire afternoon.   

During which, “just about anything” will be played over the speakers, and, naturally, just about everything lines the shelves and crates. Generalists by design and self-described purveyors of musical artifacts, RELICS curates everything from jazz to metal, with pride of place given to local Aotearoa artists. More than a store, they regularly host everything from live bands and international album release listening parties to events that bring generations together under one roof.   

With a catalogue of wax matched only by a mammoth collection of CDs, cassettes, DVDs, Blu-rays, and music literature - if something's missing, the team will happily hunt it down from importers across the globe.Behind sliding doors, step onto the chequered floor of the dedicated listening room. Once again, the real headliners are home-grown, with New Zealand–made speakers, turntables, and amplifiers holding their own alongside top-tier international audio gear.   

Self-styled on radical accessibility, at RELICS you can score a five-dollar CD or a hi-fi rig that will set you back a healthy salary. Add a strict no-snobs door policy, and you get a bona fide sanctuary for the sonic-mad south.