7 artist guides

Indie records

Indie started as a description of how records were released rather than how they sounded: on independent labels like Rough Trade, Factory and Creation, outside the major-label system. The Smiths released their albums on Rough Trade. By the 2000s the word meant a sound too, and Arctic Monkeys' 2006 debut on Domino became the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history at the time. The line runs on through Sam Fender in North Shields, Wet Leg on the Isle of Wight and The Last Dinner Party in London. Independent shops are where this music has always been sold, and many stock indie-exclusive coloured pressings. Search the indie artists below and buy direct from the shop that has the copy you want.