# Collecting for the sake of it: Who the fuck is buying all these box sets?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/collecting-for-the-sake-of-it-who-the-fuck-is-buying-all-these-box-sets/
- Published: 2026-11-12T12:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T12:26:37+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/who-is-buying-all-these-box-sets/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Vinyl’s revival has brought a flood of box sets.
- Some include merchandise; others contain vast amounts of music.
- The article questions whether fans see enough value to buy them.

## Summary

Music box sets have grown increasingly elaborate as physical releases have surged, prompting questions about whether some editions offer genuine value or mainly encourage fans to buy more. The article argues that vinyl’s revival has benefited artists, especially independent musicians, but says the market is now crowded with gimmicky and oversized collections.

It describes two common forms of excess: sets that bundle a small amount of music with merchandise, and collections so extensive that few listeners are likely to hear everything. Examples include Columbia’s 39-CD collection of Bob Dylan’s live performances and a nine-CD set of Peter Murphy’s solo work from 2002 to 2014. The article says such releases can cost hundreds of pounds, even when devoted fans may already own much of the music.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.