The Ultimate Luxury Gift Guide: The Best for Music Lovers

What’s the perfect present for a music aficionado? Whether its a new music tech gadget, a memoir from a rock star, album cover art or rock and roll designer fashion, we’ve got ideas on what to buy as the best luxury gift for a music lover. Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has curated our luxury gift guide of the best gifts for the music lovers on your list this holiday season.

what’s the best luxury gift for music lovers?

Music lovers are a fun bunch to have around. They always have entertaining stories that start with “I went to this concert once where…” And if you’re ever at a loss for what to do on a Saturday night, they can be trusted to offer a suggestion to a live music venue you’ve never heard of. Fortunately, this makes up for all the times they laugh and correct your butchered lyrics to that pop song!

When it comes to finding that perfect gift for a musician or music fan, you could, of course, always spring for high end speakers and headphones, which will help them enjoy their tunes with the best possible audio. And surprising them with concert tickets to an artist or band headed to your city is always advisable.

The Luxury Gift Guide: The Best for Music Lovers

Beyond those tried and true ideas, here are over 15 more gifts for the music aficionados in your life. We’ve got something for every budget and things that work for different musical genres from classical to pop. Let’s rock & roll! Here’s our luxury gift guide of the best for music lovers right now.

Retro Inspired

Music snobs will always think the music they grew up with is the best. Actually, we’re kind of that way, too.

1. Levitating Turntable

Before there were Ipods, Spotify, and Bluetooth everything, there was vinyl. If your hardcore music lover is also a design snob, check out Magle Vaudio’s Levitating Turntable ($3,899). It uses revolutionary technology to play records in a futuristic looking floating position. The moving parts and motors are eliminated which minimize vibrations and create a clean, one-of-a-kind listening experience.

2. Vintage Sony Walkman

For some of us of a certain age, nothing will ever beat the feeling of receiving a mix tape from a crush and listening to it over and over again as if every lyric was crafted for our ears only. Everything old is new again- relive those beats with a lovingly refurbished Vintage Sony Walkman ($99).  Each unit has been completely disassembled and repaired by an experienced team. Now all you have to do is provide your recipient with some stickers to give it some old school street cred.

3. Shinola Runwell Turntable

If your gift recipient is into vinyl and wants a retro, old school look, the Shinola Runwell Turntable ($2,500) will get the job done. 

4. a design-driven radio and turntable

The groovy mogul who loves music might love the Brionvega Radiofonografo radio and turntable ($9,950) from the MoMA Design Store. 

Classical Music

How we envy those who still play a classical instrument. Show them how much you admire their skill and discipline with these stunning gifts.

1. Satinwood Decorated Music Stand

If you’ve got a talented classical musician to shop for, check out this elegant inlaid Satinwood Decorated Music Stand ($4,600) with a colorful floral motif for their sheet music. Not only does it elevate the room, but it inspires a lyrical air to any impromptu recital.

2. Carnegie Hall Concert Series

With the Carnegie Hall Create Your Own Series you can personalize a package for that special person by choosing a minimum of 4 concerts from Carnegie Hall’s roster of more than 140 performances. Customize the number of tickets, seating and dates and you’ve got yourself a curated season pass (price varies).

Rock & Roll Style

Where would fashion be without music and vice versa? For the stylish music lover, these are a no-brainer.

1. Saint Laurent Bedford Sneakers

We love these fun and youthful  Saint Laurent Bedford High Top Sneakers ($695) dotted with musical notes from Saint Laurent’s exclusive capsule. Made from canvas, they have rubber logo appliqués and soles, and are distressed for a well loved feel. The lucky gal getting these will be dancing in the streets.

2. Vintage Rock Tees

You cannot go wrong with a vintage-inspired rock band T-shirt ($20). From AC/DC to Wu Tang Clan, it instantly makes an outfit cool and edgy.

Live Music Lovers

It’s hard to keep up with the avid concert goer. They always have tickets purchased months ahead. But try these to help them enjoy and commemorate their experiences.

1. Ticket Stub Diary

This ticket stub diary  ($14) is an easy way for your friend to recall and brag about all the shows they’ve been to. This book comes with clear sleeves that fit a variety of ticket sizes, plus space in the margin to jot down memories from the event. Acid-free pages preserve it for eternity so they can tell their grandkids how cool they were back in the day.

2. Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs

Trust us- if your music aficionado is festival hopping all year long, they will need these Vibes Hi-Fidelity Earplugs ($23.98) if they hope to maintain their hearing. Even if they’re too cool for them. These specially engineered ear plugs offer dramatic reduction while providing a well-rounded frequency spectrum.

Album Art 

 Some album images are inseparable from the music enveloped inside. They set the mood and instantly conjure memories and express the feelings from a particular time of a person’s life.

1. Art Vinyl Frame

These simple and clean Art vinyl frames ($59) allow music lovers to display artwork, and easily change the contents without removing the frame from the wall. For the purists out there, no worries. The frame is UV protected so their albums remain unblemished.

2. 1,000 Record Covers

1000 Record Covers is an excellent read and keepsake for a true music lover. Released this year, this sweeping book ($18) presents a selection of the best rock album covers of the 60’s to 90’s from music journalist and disc jockey, Michael Ochs’ private collection.

Playing Around

While music lovers might be serious about music, that doesn’t mean they can’t have fun with it too.

1. Karaoke Machine

This all-inclusive karaoke machine ($229) comes with two wireless microphones, Bluetooth speaker, phone/tablet holder and a master equalizer for the best audio. And how could we forget? Disco ball included!

2. Music Genius Playing Card Deck

This set of beautifully drawn Music Genius playing cards ($9.42) features all the big names, from Johnny Cash to Nina Simone to Madonna. In case you’re wondering, the two Jokers are Björk and David Bowie.

Music Tech

These are some of the latest devices to help your gift recipient enjoy music in the newest and most modern ways.

1. Mighty Vibe

For those who need a soundtrack playing while they work out and run errands but don’t want the bulk, Mighty Vibe ($80.00) is an amazing little clip-on device. It syncs wirelessly, provides 5+ hours of playback with 1000+ song storage and works with Bluetooth and wired headphones so you can ditch the screen.

2. Bose SoundLink Portable Outdoor Speaker

Rated #1 by CNET as the best portable mini Bluetooth speaker, the Bose SoundLink Micro Portable Outdoor Speaker is a waterproof device ($99) that can easily be strapped on to a backpack or handlebars. It delivers crisp and balanced sound with bass and can also be used as a speakerphone for calls.

Musician Memoirs

 Many musicians have led fascinating and exhilarating lives and some have the writing skills to convey those experiences in riveting prose.

1. Year of the Monkey, Patti Smith

We were huge fans of her memoir, Just Kids, which won the 2010 National Book Award. In the memoir Year of the Monkey, Patti Smith explores one year dealing with loss, aging, and a dramatic shift in the political landscape of America while traveling from the coasts of California to the Arizona dessert and a Kentucky farm.

2. Horror Stories, Liz Phair

In Horror Stories, Liz Phair – GenX’s feminist pioneer and rock star – immerses the reader in pivotal moments that haunt her in an unflinchingly honest, dark and authentic voice. Told in a series of essays, the New York Times has written that it is “uniquely thoughtful,” and “bracing and refreshing.” 

what’s the best luxury gift for music lovers?

That’s our roundup of the best gift for the music lover on your list this holiday. Short of going back in time to make the ultimate mix tape, these are the next best options. Happy Shopping!

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, fitness and even investigating police misconduct. Julie lives in NYC where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women. Kickboxing and spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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