SA: M-Pire Music retail store to launch on 4 December

M-Pire Music offers a wide range of vinyls and CDs. The venue boasts an array of local and international band merchandise, as well as a range of lifestyle products. It is also a live music space showcasing a broad spectrum of local music, artist promotional appearances, product launches and industry workshop facilities.

Commenting on the launch, M-Pire Music co-founder Jon Shaban told Music In Africa: “It was always part of the vision for us. With Musica closing down, we saw a gap in the market to start a store that could offer an awesome retail experience.”

The store sells music of every genre with an extensive catalogue of vinyl and CD’s and a diverse collection of South African music, Shaban said. The platform expects to showcase live events in the shop at least twice a month, after COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns are lifted.

The venue will also act as a launchpad in Cape Town for merchandise production service Pins & Knuckles’ new store. The partnership between the stores allows them to leverage off each other, with Shaban suggesting that merchandising offers musicians another important channel to engage with fans and increase their earnings.

“From experience, as a touring musician especially, you can easily triple your earnings on a night by selling merchandise. It’s also a great way to engage with your fanbase,” he said.

Participants can expect discounts and product giveaways, as well as a line-up of live music and vinyl DJs. The founders said that they will be giving away one free shirt or tote bag with any design to the first 30 people through the door – a hi-res PNG image will be required.

The stores will be running an opening day prize for artists and bands, including a special limited offer of a free session at the STFD Recording Studio, which is located at the same venue, and the first run of 50 T-Shirts with your brand or design printed.

Although M-Pire’s current focus is in Cape Town, the platform hopes to expand to other regions in South Africa in the future. Customers outside of Cape Town can shop on the M-Pire Music store online here.