Stop. Rewind. Is scene set for cassette tapes revival?

Kristina Records’ co-founder James Thorington. Photograph: Eleonore de Bonneval

Everyone remembers cassette tapes.

Whether it’s the ritual-like process of making mix tapes and trying to perfect the art of taping a song from the radio without the DJ’s voice cutting in and spoiling things, or (for music listeners of a certain age) popping those tapes into a Walkman tape player, these are memories which remain forever strong in the minds of some people.

But does anyone still collect cassette tapes, and if so, why?

The International Cassette Store Day event – apparently a global phenomenon – suggests there is still life in this anachronistic format.

It was founded by Dalston residents and initially focused on local indie and heavy music, but it quickly blossomed into a worldwide celebration with events in record shops across the globe.

Dalston’s Kristina Records was one of three London stores that participated in the event, and it highlighted the extent to which cassette tapes can still interest people.

Used tape sales proved to be particularly impressive in a shop where sales are predominantly of vinyl records.

“Second-hand cassettes sold really well, and a lot of the official releases sold well online afterwards,” Kristina Records’ co-founder James Thornington says. “There was not only a demand for cassettes in the UK, but also a worldwide demand, as shown by the online sales.”

But what about the long-term appeal of cassette tapes?

Could Cassette Store Day have what it takes to become an established, annual event like Record Store Day?

“There will definitely be more planning going into the event next year,” says Thornington.

“The hearts of the organisers are in the right place, which means the cassettes are all cheap as they came direct from record labels.

“It appeals to the same audiences we see attending Record Store Day, and it’s the same people who go to record stores who have shown an interest in Cassette Store Day.”

Recording collecting has experienced a huge boom in popularity in the last few years, and perhaps Record Store Day is partially responsible for that.

Could the cassette tape perhaps mirror vinyl’s recent successes?

Thornington remains unsure.

“Certain cassettes can get a bigger following. However, the passage of time physically degrades a tape,” he says.

“You can take good care of a vinyl record and it will stay in good condition, and I think people are wary of spending money on a degradable product.

“Vinyl records seem to have a broader appeal and can spark something in people – they have something more substantial than other formats.”