A beloved fixture in Southampton's retail landscape, HMV has danced its way through several city centre locations in a performance worthy of a "Strictly Come Dancing" glitterball trophy. Its story is one of exciting new beginnings, star-studded launches, and a major transformation.

The HMV story in Southampton began with its original, more modest, home in the historic Bargate area. 

However, by 1982, the beat was growing stronger, and HMV needed a bigger stage. It pirouetted around the corner to 19 Hanover Buildings, a site that offered a significantly larger footprint – more than three times the size of its predecessor – allowing for an even greater array of music to tempt shoppers.

This grand re-opening on November 8, 1982, was no quiet affair. 

The city buzzed with anticipation as two of the era's most flamboyant pop icons, Boy George of Culture Club, then riding high with "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?", and Steve Strange, the enigmatic frontman of Visage, descended upon Southampton. 

The promise of signed autographs drew an immense throng of devoted fans, a sea of colourful hairdos and New Romantic attire. 

The sheer volume of people took authorities by surprise. Police and security guards found themselves contending with a crowd so large that Hanover Buildings had to be temporarily blocked off. 

Barricades were hastily put together in an attempt to manage the passionate assembly, and in the midst of the excitement, several young fans unfortunately sustained minor injuries, a testament to the fervent atmosphere of the day.

But the music didn't stop there. Twelve years later, in 1994, HMV was ready for another costume change and a new headline act. The store waltzed into its final Southampton residence at 56-58 Above Bar Street. 

This move wasn't just about square footage, it was a strategic leap into the future. 

Recognising the rapidly evolving entertainment landscape, this new, even larger HMV embraced the growing video and computer games market, offering Southampton shoppers a thrilling new dimension to their entertainment experience alongside the traditional music offerings.

To mark this latest incarnation, another music legend graced the city. Bob Geldof, the charismatic Boomtown Rats frontman and Live Aid visionary, took to the stage in July 1994.

He performed a set of his iconic songs to an enthusiastic crowd of around 200 fans and dedicated music-lovers, ensuring HMV’s new chapter in Above Bar Street kicked off with a memorable live soundtrack.

Over the subsequent years, the Above Bar Street store solidified its reputation as a key destination for music and entertainment enthusiasts. 

It wasn't just a place to buy the latest releases; it was a hub that frequently played host to a diverse array of live acts and signing events. 

(Image: Echo)

The walls of HMV Southampton echoed with the sounds of rock band Feeder, the unique electronic melodies of Gary Numan, the classic rock anthems of Status Quo, and the pop stylings of Peter Andre, among many others, creating lasting memories for countless fans.

However, as the new millennium progressed, the rhythm of retail began to change. 

The rise of supermarket chains offering discounted CDs and, more profoundly, the seismic shift towards digital downloads and streaming services, presented formidable competition.

HMV, like many physical music retailers, found itself battling a challenging new market. 

Despite its decades of history and its cherished place in the hearts of Southampton's residents, the music began to fade for the city's HMV.

 In March 2018, the Southampton branch closed its doors for the final time, bringing down the curtain on an almost forty-year presence in the city.

However, the company was rescued from bankruptcy in 2019 and they reopened some closed stores.

A new HMV opened on Southampton High Street shortly after, although the shift of trade skipped from predominantly music and video game focused to mostly collectables and merchandise.