As digital media continues to dominate the entertainment landscape in 2025, a unique event is set to rekindle the love for physical media in New York City.
The first-ever NYC Tape Fair will take place on April 27 in Bushwick, showcasing a diverse array of cassette tapes, VHS tapes, and more from both old and new collections.
Co-founder Anthony Morton reflects on his lifelong passion for physical media, which began during his childhood when he could only afford a $5 cassette from a concert.
“Similarly, with VHS, I wanted to own all my favorite movies, and realizing people were basically throwing VHSs away allowed me to do that and exposed me to many new things because of the low financial barrier for entry,” Morton said.
By keeping tape media alive, he believes it supports artists and consumers while making art accessible to everyone.
Despite his enthusiasm, finding tapes has become increasingly challenging, which was instrumental in inspiring the NYC Tape Fair.
Morton often found himself on disappointing shopping trips to record fairs where tapes were rarely curated.
“… and I was like, I’d really, selfishly, love for a tape fair to happen. And to get all of these people in one room,” he shared.
Together with co-founder Ricardo Marrero, Morton organized the fair, bringing together numerous vendors under one roof at Selva, a record store-art gallery-café on Willoughby Avenue.
The event is anticipated to last for six hours and will feature at least a dozen vendors.
Selva’s owners, Lucas Cabu and Marc Grillo, expressed their excitement, saying, “We’re honored to host the NYC Tape Fair for their first event, bringing together individuals with niche interests to celebrate music, art, and underground works that have yet to be discovered.”
Among the participating sellers are Captured Record Shop from Greenpoint and Night Owl Video, a newcomer in Williamsburg.
Independent collectors like Mike Videopunk and Billy Bombs will also be showcasing their offerings.
These sellers will provide attendees with a chance to explore rare vintage tapes, alongside new releases and useful collector items like hard-to-find tape storage solutions.
A highlight of the fair will be the Found Footage Festival, known for showcasing long-lost tapes discovered in thrift stores and estate sales.
They will display some archival footage and even have selected items from their vast collection of obscure and niche VHS content to sell at the event.
“They have essentially the world’s largest collection of obscure and niche things put to VHS,” Morton noted regarding the Found Footage Festival, emphasizing their enthusiasm for the upcoming event.
Despite the overwhelming presence of streaming services, Morton believes that many people are starting to feel fatigued by the complexities of multiple logins and subscription fees.
He points to the growing desire for the simplicity and nostalgia of physical media like tapes.
The opening of Night Owl Video in Williamsburg earlier this month is a testament to this trend, as the store exclusively stocks DVDs, VHS tapes, and movie memorabilia.
Recent statistics indicate a small resurgence in the sales of vinyl records, cassette tapes, and DVDs, likely fueled by a combination of nostalgia and practicality.
Streaming platforms often remove movies and shows with little notice, leaving viewers with no reliable access to their favorite content.
Moreover, artists frequently come and go from services like Spotify, leading to uncertainty over availability.
“I think people have kind of realized that they don’t have a tangible connection, they don’t have a tactile thing they can hold,” Morton observed.
This realization has prompted many to seek ownership of their beloved media, reinforcing the idea that they want to access it on their own terms.
As the NYC Tape Fair approaches, it stands as a symbol of the enduring appeal of physical media, promising to bring together enthusiasts and collectors in a celebration of audio-visual nostalgia.
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