Blab Music
Numero Group Launches 11-Day Pop-Up Tour, First Stop in Philadelphia
The Chicago‑based archival label Numero Group has begun an 11‑day pop‑up shop tour that will travel the East Coast and Midwest. The first venue is Nostalgia in Fishtown, Philadelphia, where the label will be open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12. Attendees are asked to RSVP online.
Founded in 2003 by Ken Shipley, Rob Sevier and Tom Lunt, Numero Group specializes in reissues and compilations of obscure recordings. The label’s catalog spans soul, funk, punk and experimental music that was largely overlooked at the time of its original release. In 2013, Numero entered a partnership with Secretly Label Group, expanding its distribution network.
Shipley explained that the pop‑up concept is “more akin to a band on tour than a traditional retail setting.” The mobile shop will feature a wide array of products: CDs, LPs, cassettes, 45‑rpm singles, T‑shirts, and “flotsam and in‑between” items such as nail polish and novelty items. Shipley said the tour is a way to “leave new music in listeners’ hands” and compared himself to Johnny Appleseed, noting that each record sold could end up on a radio show, in a film or television soundtrack, or inspire a new band.
The tour follows a successful summer run in Manhattan and a previous Midwest pop‑up that attracted both underground fans and casual listeners. Shipley said the response has been “pretty amazing among the people who know what Numero is.” He added that the label’s reach is growing annually, with more people discovering its catalog.
Kristin Thomson, co‑mastermind of Simple Machines Records and a founding member of the indie band Tsunami, will join Shipley at the Philadelphia stop. Simple Machines, founded in 1990 in Arlington, Virginia, was one of the first women‑run punk labels in the United States. Thomson’s involvement underscores the tour’s focus on archival and independent music.
According to Shipley, the label’s tagline—“The Alternate History of Popular Music”—signals its mission to preserve music that did not achieve mainstream success. He noted that the tour offers a “gateway to a whole other world of music that has nothing to do with hits, what’s on the radio, and what was on TV.”
The pop‑up’s schedule will see the van travel to cities along the East Coast and Midwest over the next eleven days. While the exact itinerary beyond Philadelphia has not been fully disclosed, the tour is expected to include stops in major markets such as New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.
Shipley emphasized the personal impact of the tour. He said, “I always love when I turn somebody on to something that they didn’t know they were going to love. Then you always hear from people later say, ‘Oh, man, you put that record into my hands,’ and ‘we ended up doing X, Y, or Z with it.’”
The pop‑up format allows the label to engage directly with fans, offering rare vinyl and limited‑edition merchandise that is otherwise difficult to find. The tour also provides an opportunity for collectors to purchase items that are not available through standard retail channels.
Numero Group’s catalog includes notable releases such as the “Soul of the South” series, the “Punk 45” compilations, and the “Funk 45” collections, all of which have been praised for their meticulous research and high‑quality remastering. The label’s focus on archival preservation has earned it a reputation among collectors and music historians.
The tour’s launch in Philadelphia is part of a broader strategy to increase physical sales in an era dominated by streaming. By offering tangible products—vinyl, CDs, cassettes—the label taps into a niche market that values the tactile experience of music ownership.
As the tour progresses, Numero Group will likely continue to promote its catalog through social media and email newsletters. While no official dates for future pop‑up stops have been announced, the label’s website indicates that interested fans can sign up for updates.
In summary, Numero Group’s 11‑day pop‑up tour represents a unique approach to music distribution, blending archival preservation with direct fan engagement. The Philadelphia stop on September 12 marks the beginning of a campaign that aims to bring obscure music to new audiences across the United States.
Founded in 2003 by Ken Shipley, Rob Sevier and Tom Lunt, Numero Group specializes in reissues and compilations of obscure recordings. The label’s catalog spans soul, funk, punk and experimental music that was largely overlooked at the time of its original release. In 2013, Numero entered a partnership with Secretly Label Group, expanding its distribution network.
Shipley explained that the pop‑up concept is “more akin to a band on tour than a traditional retail setting.” The mobile shop will feature a wide array of products: CDs, LPs, cassettes, 45‑rpm singles, T‑shirts, and “flotsam and in‑between” items such as nail polish and novelty items. Shipley said the tour is a way to “leave new music in listeners’ hands” and compared himself to Johnny Appleseed, noting that each record sold could end up on a radio show, in a film or television soundtrack, or inspire a new band.
The tour follows a successful summer run in Manhattan and a previous Midwest pop‑up that attracted both underground fans and casual listeners. Shipley said the response has been “pretty amazing among the people who know what Numero is.” He added that the label’s reach is growing annually, with more people discovering its catalog.
Kristin Thomson, co‑mastermind of Simple Machines Records and a founding member of the indie band Tsunami, will join Shipley at the Philadelphia stop. Simple Machines, founded in 1990 in Arlington, Virginia, was one of the first women‑run punk labels in the United States. Thomson’s involvement underscores the tour’s focus on archival and independent music.
According to Shipley, the label’s tagline—“The Alternate History of Popular Music”—signals its mission to preserve music that did not achieve mainstream success. He noted that the tour offers a “gateway to a whole other world of music that has nothing to do with hits, what’s on the radio, and what was on TV.”
The pop‑up’s schedule will see the van travel to cities along the East Coast and Midwest over the next eleven days. While the exact itinerary beyond Philadelphia has not been fully disclosed, the tour is expected to include stops in major markets such as New York, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.
Shipley emphasized the personal impact of the tour. He said, “I always love when I turn somebody on to something that they didn’t know they were going to love. Then you always hear from people later say, ‘Oh, man, you put that record into my hands,’ and ‘we ended up doing X, Y, or Z with it.’”
The pop‑up format allows the label to engage directly with fans, offering rare vinyl and limited‑edition merchandise that is otherwise difficult to find. The tour also provides an opportunity for collectors to purchase items that are not available through standard retail channels.
Numero Group’s catalog includes notable releases such as the “Soul of the South” series, the “Punk 45” compilations, and the “Funk 45” collections, all of which have been praised for their meticulous research and high‑quality remastering. The label’s focus on archival preservation has earned it a reputation among collectors and music historians.
The tour’s launch in Philadelphia is part of a broader strategy to increase physical sales in an era dominated by streaming. By offering tangible products—vinyl, CDs, cassettes—the label taps into a niche market that values the tactile experience of music ownership.
As the tour progresses, Numero Group will likely continue to promote its catalog through social media and email newsletters. While no official dates for future pop‑up stops have been announced, the label’s website indicates that interested fans can sign up for updates.
In summary, Numero Group’s 11‑day pop‑up tour represents a unique approach to music distribution, blending archival preservation with direct fan engagement. The Philadelphia stop on September 12 marks the beginning of a campaign that aims to bring obscure music to new audiences across the United States.
