Best gifts for music lovers 2024: Present ideas with a rock'n'roll twist

Gifts for music lovers: Quick menu

If you're planning on buying something for your friends or family members but are struggling to decide what you should get them, we've put our heads together and come up with what we think are the best gifts for music lovers.

In the list below, you'll not only find headphones, portable Bluetooth speakers, neat vinyl storage solutions, awesome posters with a difference and guitar lessons, but there's also essential rock books, board games, music-themed jigsaws, band-branded spirits, beer, gift cards, wrapping paper and more. 

In addition, we've also included a list of reliable online retailers at the bottom of the page to hopefully give you further options to grab a great present or two with a rock'n'roll twist.

And for more present ideas, take a look at our guide to our favourite gifts for metalheads.

Editor's picks

Before I get into the guide proper, I've picked out six products from the list that I think will be of interest. Further details on the items can also be found further down the page.

Headphones

Best gifts for music lovers: Marshall Major IV Wireless Bluetooth headphones

(Image credit: Marshall)

1. Marshall Major IV Wireless Bluetooth headphones

These headphones from Marshall will be music to their ears

Specifications

Price: $150/£170
Features: Bluetooth
Battery Life: 80 hours

Reasons to buy

+
Classic Marshall branding
+
Balanced sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Vocals can be on the high side

Marshall have been at the centre of the rock universe for decades, with their cabs adorning stages of some of the world's biggest acts. And when it comes to their home audio equipment, Marshall also deliver – and as a result, it's no surprise that they feature in our loudest Bluetooth speakers guide and our list of the best over-ear headphones on the market right now.

If you're looking for a great pair of Bluetooth headphones as a gift, I recommend the Marshall Major IV, which not only look the part, but also sound fantastic thanks to their aggressive take on rock and metal and beautiful balance.

Battery life is also awesome, with a fully charged up pair giving 80 hours of riffs, solos and drum beats – and let's not forget that a quick 15-minute charge will reward them with 15-hours of music. 

Best gifts for music lovers: House Of Marley Redemption ANC2 Earbuds

(Image credit: House Of Marley)

2. House Of Marley Redemption ANC 2 earbuds

House Of Marley’s latest earbuds put sustainability at the heart of the music

Specifications

Price: $169.99/£149.99
Bluetooth: Yes
Battery life: 6-8 hours
Dedicated app: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Made from recycled materials
+
Warm sound

Reasons to avoid

-
We'd like more battery life

House Of Marley were founded by Bob Marley’s son Rohan and are known in audio circles for their range of headphones and speakers - and I've been really impressed with their in-ear Redemption ANC 2 headphones and think they’d make a great gift.

Not only do they deliver a lovely warm sound, but they’re also incredibly comfortable to wear for extended periods. They carry an IPX5 rating meaning they’re sweat and water resistant and while fully-charged, you’ll get six hours of ANC playtime and eight in ambient mode. EQ settings can be tweaked through the dedicated House Of Marley app and overall we were very impressed with them, as you can read in our House Of Marley Redemption ANC 2 review.

The Redemption ANC 2 - like all House Of Marley products - have been made with sustainability in mind and have been crafted from bamboo, natural wood fibre composite and recycled plastic - and that's something we can all get behind.

Speakers

Best gifts for music lovers: Positive Grid Spark GO

(Image credit: Positive Grid)

3. Positive Grid Spark GO

Positive Grid's ultra portable amp also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker

Specifications

Price: $129/£129
Output: 5 watts
Dimensions: 12.45 x 8.38 x 4.32cm
Weight: 1.3 lbs/0.5 kg

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight and portable
+
8 hours from full charge
+
A joy to use
+
A world of sounds to use

Reasons to avoid

-
Not perfect at really high volume levels

Positive Grid’s Spark amp turned heads when it launched back in 2020 thanks to its all-in-one design which is perfect for practice, learning and home recording. Then came the neat Spark Mini which paired everything down to a handier size. Now Positive Grid have shrunk the size even more with the brilliant Spark Go.

It doubles as a portable amp and Bluetooth speaker and it really is ultra portable due to its size - not quite pocked-sized, but not far off. It comes loaded with 33 authentic amp models, 43 effects and is also fully integrated with the Spark app which gives you access to more than 50,000 guitar tones, AI-powered auto chords, Smart Jam and more. 

It's rechargeable and it'll give eight hours playback when fully powered. All in all, a great gift for a guitarist or someone looking for a versatile Bluetooth speaker.

Best gifts for music lovers: Marshall Emberton II

(Image credit: Marshall)

4. Marshall Emberton II Bluetooth speaker

Marshall’s popular portable speaker gets an upgrade

Specifications

Price: $169.99/£149.99
Features: Bluetooth 5.1, IP67 rated
Battery life: 30 hours

Reasons to buy

+
The Marshall stamp of quality
+
Perfectly portable
+
Improved battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Might be too small for some

Marshall’s portable Emberton Bluetooth speaker hit the market back in the summer of 2020 and quickly made a name for itself and has gone on to become Marshall’s top-selling speaker - and that’s quite something when you consider how many established models are in the audio firm’s range.

Now Marshall have released the Emberton II which carries the same price as its predecessor but adds Bluetooth 5.1, along with a lighter weight, an IP67 rating meaning it's dust and water-resistant and an extra 10 hours of battery life, taking it up to 30 hours from a full charge. It still carries the familiar Marshall script logo on the front and boasts Marshall’s True Stereophonic tech – a multi-directional sound which delivers 360° audio.

Best gifts for music lovers: Amazon Echo Studio

(Image credit: Amazon)

5. Amazon Echo Studio

Let your friend or family member take full control of their tunes

Specifications

Price: $225/£190
Loudness: 90 dB
Frequency Response: 30Hz to 24kHz
Audio Output: 330W
Weight: 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)
Audio: 1" tweeter, three 2" mid-range speakers, and 5.25" woofer
Features: Alexa app, Fire TV compatibility, supported audio includes FLAC, MP3, AAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, Sony 360 Reality Audio/MPEG-H

Reasons to buy

+
Looks great
+
Packing plenty of power
+
Smart control makes life easier

Reasons to avoid

-
There are cheaper speakers out there

If you want to buy one of the Loudest Bluetooth speakers currently on the market, then look no further than the bone-shaking Amazon Echo Studio – a real behemoth in the audio world. It has superior sound quality – which is reflected in the higher price – it comes with the super-intelligent Amazon Alexa on board, and it represents the smart speaker world finding a new level of sophistication and power.

Vinyl & turntables

Best gifts for music lovers: Gorilla LP Vinyl Record Storage Box

(Image credit: Gorilla)

6. Gorilla LP Vinyl Record Storage Box

No more excuses for piles of vinyl lying scattered across the floor

Specifications

Price: $50/£55
Company: Gorilla
Holds: 100, 12-inch records
Build quality: Lightweight but robust

Reasons to buy

+
Robust design
+
Lightweight
+
Holds up to 100 albums
+
Secure interior

Reasons to avoid

-
More storage would be welcome

Does your friend have that really annoying habit of leaving threir vinyl collection spread all over the floor? Perhaps they don't even have the common decency to organise their records in alphabetical order which is, frankly, unforgivable. If these issues ring a bell, then perhaps a vinyl storage solution would help mend their messy ways – or at least encourage them to take more care of their LPs.

Thankfully, Gorilla are on hand to offer some solid vinyl storage, with this robust box able to safely store 100 12-inch records. And, despite its chunky appearance, the record storage box is surprisingly lightweight and can be easily moved around.

Best gifts for music lovers: Lenco L-85

(Image credit: Lenco)

7. Lenco L-85 record player

An ideal turntable for those who are getting back into vinyl

Specifications

Price: $120/£129
Operation: semi-automatic
Drive: belt
Cartridge: moving magnet
Speeds: 33 ⅓, 45
Built-in phono stage: Yes
USB recording: Yes
Bluetooth: No
Dimensions (hwd): 15x42x36cm

Reasons to buy

+
Very simple to operate
+
A choice of colours

Reasons to avoid

-
Spending more gets better sound

When it comes to choosing something from the best turntables online, it can be a bit of a minefield. Prices vary dramatically and you'll have to weight up whether a phono pre-amp and a USB connection are needed, and figure out if the record player has digital capabilities.

Thankfully, Lenco have come up with a cracker in the shape of the Lenco L-85 which has just about everything your friend or loved one will need under the shiny red hood thanks to being a semi-automatic, belt-driven turntable with a built-in phono stage and the ability to record via USB.

OK, it can look a little plasticky, but with a choice of colours and its ease of use, this would make a great present. You really can't go wrong with this option.

And if you're on the hunt for vinyl to gift, here are the 20 best classic rock albums to own on vinyl.

Posters & art

Best gifts for music lovers: Displate metal posters

(Image credit: Displate/Ghost)

8. Displate metal posters

Displate's massive range of metal poster designs are simply stunning

Specifications

Price: From $40/£40
Sizes: M, L, XL - 3mm thick
Finishes: Matte or gloss
Frame colour: Various finishes

Reasons to buy

+
Amazing designs
+
Officially licensed
+
Hanging magnets included

Reasons to avoid

-
Hard to display on bumpy walls

Rather than produce straightforward paper posters, Displate instead print vivid designs covering music, video games and pop culture on to metal sheets which your friend or loved one can then place on the wall using magnets which are provided with every purchase.

All designs have been officially licensed and come in medium, large and extra large and they look amazing. I highlighted their range of Ghost designs earlier this year, but there’s thousands of cool options to explore. Just be aware they hang perfectly on flat walls, but struggle if there's a few lumps and bumps.

It's also worth noting that Displate have an eye on the environment and plant a tree with every purchase made. Find out more about their support for the Trees For The Future project.

Best gifts for music lovers: Led Zeppelin Wall print

(Image credit: Miles Oliver Art)

9. Led Zeppelin framed wall print

This wonderful wall art certainly won't leave anyone Dazed and Confused

Specifications

Price: £22
Frame width: 53cm x 26cm
Ships: UK & international

Reasons to buy

+
It looks great
+
Classic designs

Reasons to avoid

-
Box frame, so no glass

Giving someone a present that can't be found on the high street is always pretty cool, and it's even better if that present just so happens to look awesome.

Available on Etsy, this handmade piece of wall art by Miles Oliver Art gives us a trio of Led Zeppelin prints which are box-framed and ready to hang right off the bat. They depict the band’s rune symbols, the world famous Swan Song image based on the William Rimmer sketch, and their hermit illustration.

The prints are also available to purchase individually, while Miles Oliver Art also has loads of other neat stuff like Kiss prints and stylised travel illustrations from around the UK.

Best gifts for music lovers: Periodic table of music poster

(Image credit: Northern Line Studios)

10. Periodic table of music poster

Get your geek on with this scientific look at rock, metal and more

Specifications

Price: From $36/£36
Size: A2
Framed: Optional - black or white

Reasons to buy

+
It looks great
+
Plenty of talking points

Reasons to avoid

-
It might be a bit too big for some walls

Think periodic tables are boring? Well, check this one out. Etsy seller Northern Line Studio - who have loads of neat poster designs - have designed a poster that reimagines some of history's most iconic music artists as 'elements'. So, Nirvana are 'Ni', Genesis are 'Ge', Public Image Ltd are 'Pb', and so on. These entries have then been colour-coordinated to match their genre, whether it be alternative/indie, electro, ska/reggae or whatever.

Northern Line Studio say: "A play on the Periodic Table in which the chemical elements and their symbols have been converted into famous bands and solo artists. Other categories include alt rock, electro, hip hop and rock. Other bands have been included under the title 'Other Matters and Substance'. The dates reflect the year each band or artist first performed."

Available either framed or unframed, this A2-sized poster doesn't have any scientific basis to it, but your loved one is unlikely to care when it's hung on their wall looking cool and colourful.   

Best gifts for music lovers: Todd Alcott Graphics art prints

(Image credit: Todd Alcott Graphics)

12. Music & pop culture mash-up art prints

Brilliant retro-themed art prints with a musical twist

Specifications

Price: Various
Size: 11 inches to 36 inches

Reasons to buy

+
Imaginative designs
+
Retro vibe

Reasons to avoid

-
Some designs might be too obscure for your music-loving friend or relative

Imagine if some of your friend or loved one's favourite songs were novels. That's what artist Todd Alcott has done with his series of cultural mash-ups at Etsy. Featuring covers of make-believe books including Paranoid Android, Heart-Shaped Box and Love Will Tear Us Apart, these clever prints marry the striking imagery of classic pulp fiction with slogans and motifs related to the song in question.

Perfect for music fan fathers, these colourful creations would look awesome adorning a living room wall or music studio. We just wish that someone would actually write these books, as we're dying to read them.

Books

Best gifts for music lovers: Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book Of Bass

(Image credit: HarperDes)

13. Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book of Bass

A wonderful celebration of the bass by one of its best players

Specifications

Price: $35/£44
Author: Geddy Lee
Publisher: Harper
Formats: Hardback

Reasons to buy

+
One of the best books on basses
+
Beautiful photography
+
Great writing from rock legends

Reasons to avoid

-
No protective cover

Rush legend Geddy Lee released his Big Beautiful Book Of Bass in in 2018 and backed it with a series of in-store book signings across North America and Europe, which allowed some of us to meet the man face to face. However, if your friend or family member missed out on meeting Geddy on the road, then the next best thing is to pick up this lavish coffee table publication for them.

Spread across 400 pages, Geddy highlights a selection of the basses he owns, which have all been meticulously captured by photographer Richard Sibbald. It's not even essential to be a Rush fan to appreciate what's in Geddy Lee's Big Beautiful Book Of Bass, with the book also featuring interviews with artists including Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, Metallica's Robert Trujillo, Primus' Les Claypool, and former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman.

Best gifts for music lovers: Paint My Name In Black And Gold

(Image credit: Unbound)

14. Paint My Name in Black and Gold: The Rise of the Sisters of Mercy

A brilliant look at the history of the Sisters Of Mercy and a snapshot of the post-punk landscape

Specifications

Price: $12/£12
Author: Mark Andrews
Publisher: Unbound
Formats: Hardback and paperback

Reasons to buy

+
Comprehensive history
+
Captures the mood of post-punk Britain
+
A must-read for Sisters fans

Reasons to avoid

-
More images would have been great

Mark Andrews' takes a deep dive into the history of one of the UK's most revered post-punk bands The Sisters Of Mercy and it's simply a must-read for fans of the band. It also serves as a gritty look at mid-late 70’s Leeds and its bustling underground music scene - a city where punks were targeted by local bullyboys - and how Andy Taylor (Andrew Eldritch), Mark Pearman (Gary Marx) and Craig Adams formed and began their rise through the underground music scene, recruiting members along the way, including Wayne Hussey.

Paint My Name in Black and Gold's 450 pages are crammed with details about the band, complete with brilliant info that may have passed Sisters Of Mercy fans by, including an ill-fated attempt to secure a support slot with Motorhead in 1981 and how Tony James tried to prise Eldritch away from the Sisters to front his new project that would go on to become Sigue Sigue Sputnik. The pair, of course, eventually came together for the Sisters Of Mercy's Vision Thing album in 1991. 

Brilliantly written by Andrews and if your mate is even remotely a fan of post-punk/goth, I'm pretty sure they'll enjoy this book.

Games & jigsaws

Best gifts for music lovers: Rock Saws Iron Maiden jigsaw

(Image credit: Rock Saws/Iron Maiden)

15. Iron Maiden jigsaw puzzle

Put the pieces in place for a great gift for that special Iron Maiden fan

Specifications

Price: $20/£20
Company: Zee Productions
Pieces: 1000

Reasons to buy

+
Recreate classic artwork
+
Will take some time to complete
+
Perfect gift

Reasons to avoid

-
We want more pieces

OK, we’ll admit that settling down to vanquish a jigsaw puzzle isn’t the most rock’n’roll way to spend a Wednesday night, but the Zee Productions RockSaws range are too good not to dive head first into.

Their officially licensed jigsaw puzzles come in 500 or 1000 piece variations, with each one depicting a classic album cover from some of the biggest names in rock and metal, including Metallica, Slayer, Kiss, Rush, Def Leppard, Alice Cooper, Queen, Guns N’ Roses, Status Quo, Motorhead and Judas Priest.

One of our favourites is this 500-piece jigsaw puzzle featuring the cover of Iron Maiden's Somewhere In Time, with Cyborg Eddie making his way through a futuristic London. Is this the greatest Maiden album artwork? Yes, I think it is!

The whole range are also great to frame once complete and are pretty much guaranteed to be a hit.

Best gifts for music lovers: Queen Monopoly

(Image credit: Hasbro)

16. Queen Monopoly

This music-themed board game takes on a royal twist

Specifications

Price: $40/£34
Number of players: 2-6
Language: English
Assembly required: No

Reasons to buy

+
It's about Queen
+
The game pieces are brilliant
+
Monopoly sets tend to last years

Reasons to avoid

-
Monopoly takes ages to play
-
There's no Queen audio snippets

Buying your friend a standard Monopoly set wouldn't be very inspiring. But Queen Monopoly? Now, that's a whole different kettle of fish. 

Instead of advancing to Pall Mall, Bond Street, Old Kent Road et al, your pal will instead land on properties such as Wembley, Hyde Park and The Forum in Los Angeles as they embarks on a quest for world domination. As with the standard Monopoly, though, you'll need to avoid jail, taxes and bankruptcy – after all, what would the tabloids say?  

With loads of Queen-related references and a set of game pieces that are themed around the band's iconic songs, this special-edition Monopoly will make your mate go Ga Ga.

T-shirts

Best gifts for music lovers: Metal Hammer, Classic Rock and Prog t-shirts

(Image credit: Future)

17. Classic Rock, Metal Hammer & Prog t-shirts

A top gift for your magazine Classic Rock, Metal Hammer & Prog loving dad

Specifications

Price: £15-20
Sizes: S- 5XL
Material: 100% cotton pre-shrunk jersey knit

Reasons to buy

+
Salute your favourite mag
+
Comfortable and light

Reasons to avoid

-
Seriously?

If your music-loving friend is an avid reader of Metal Hammer, Classic Rock or Prog magazine - and let’s face it, who here isn’t? - then a gift of a mag-branded t-shirt will be the perfect fit. There are loads to choose from, like a cammo-themed Metal Hammer shirt, a 1982 thrash t-shirt, and my personal favourite: a “Drink tea and listen to Prog” maroon tee.

Best gifts for music lovers: Droids t-shirt

(Image credit: Grangehill Creations)

18. Star Wars The Droids Abbey Road t-shirt

Set blasters for stun… this Beatles/Star Wars mash-up is just what we need

Specifications

Price : $11.99/£11.99
Sizes: S through to 5X
Material: Cotton

Reasons to buy

+
A nice twist on the famous Abbey Road cover
+
Perfect for Queen/Star Wars fans

Reasons to avoid

-
A colour version would be cool

This is a fantastic cotton t-shirt by Grangehill Creations over at Etsy. It's a clever play on the Beatles famous Abbey Road cover and features four of Star Wars' most famous droids (K-2SO, C-3PO, R2-D2 and the speedy BB-8) crossing the London Road made famous by The Fab Four.

If you're after something a bit different than this Beatles-inspired design, then Grangehill Creations have plenty of other pop culture designs in a massive range of sizes

And don't forget, if your friend or loved-one is a Star Wars fan, then you could also get them a subscription to Disney+ - home to the Star Wars universe and more.

Quirky gifts

Best gifts for music lovers: Lego Atari 2600

(Image credit: Lego)

19. Lego Atari 2600

A nostalgia trip back to the golden era of home gaming

Specifications

Price: $239.99/£209.99
Number of pieces: 2532
Assembly required: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Looks great once complete
+
Extras items inspired by the 80s
+
Functional buttons

Reasons to avoid

-
We wish it would actually play games

The first gaming console I ever got to experience was the famous Atari 2600, complete with sleek ridges and THAT wood-finish veneer. My stepdad bought it for himself for Christmas 1981 and while he did managed to get a bit of time with it, my brother and I commandeered it. 

We rented cartridges from the local video store and played the hell out of games such as Adventure, Space Invaders, Combat, Night Driver, Enduro, Frogger and Superman along with total clunkers like the infamous E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial, and the baffling Raiders Of The Lost Ark. So when I saw that Lego had released a replica of the Atari 2600 I got quite excited - especially as it comes with a bunch of extras including three game carts, a joystick, three models inspired by classic Atari titles and an 80’s throwback bedroom scene. 

It’ll also take a while to piece everything together as the package contains 2532 parts. Perfect nostalgia for those of us of a certain age.

Best gifts for music lovers: Bronze rock hand sculpture

(Image credit: Horns In The Air)

20. Bronze rock hand sculpture

Horns up! A metal way to keep jewellery and watches safe and sound

Specifications

Price: £16
Materials: Plaster/felt
Ships to US: No

Reasons to buy

+
Great way to store rings, bracelets and even headphones
+
Looks the business

Reasons to avoid

-
Not made from actual bronze

Calling this rock hand a 'sculpture' is doing it a bit of a disservice. Designed by Etsy seller Horns In The Air, it could actually carry out a wide range of functions, from holding jewellery and headphones to scratching your bum. 

Constructed from plaster with a bronze colouring, the hand features a velvet base that should prevent it from marking a desk or table. And since these gifts are handmade, no two sculptures will be exactly the same – meaning your present will be truly unique.

Best gifts for music lovers: Vintage record coasters

(Image credit: Coasters For WOPP)

21. Vintage record coasters

Here's a fresh spin on classic vinyl for music lovers

Specifications

Price: From £6
Materials: Plastic

Reasons to buy

+
The coasters look great
+
Well priced
+
Plenty of variety

Reasons to avoid

-
Larger versions for other items would be great

Such is the value of classic vinyl these days, it's initially going to feel a bit weird plonking down a hot cup of Joe on one of these drinks coasters – they look so much like the real thing! Once your friend has got used to that, though, they'll love having these dotted around the home, highlighting what a cool person they are.    

Each coaster features an iconic band's artwork, with everyone from Led Zeppelin to Nirvana represented, and also comes with an anti-slip ring to ensure that glasses or bottles won't easily topple over. We'll drink to that.

Best gifts for music lovers: Concert Tickets Drinks Coasters Set

(Image credit: From In The Shed)

22. Retro concert ticket coasters

Another coaster option that takes us back to the golden days of rock'n'roll

Specifications

Price: $19.99/£19.99
Material: Cork and wood
Genres: Rock, metal, punk, grunge

Reasons to buy

+
Coasters that rock
+
A great retro vibe
+
Good range of bands

Reasons to avoid

-
An option to purchase larger packs would be cool

Looking at concert tickets from decades ago makes some of us feel sad that we weren't alive to see such great bands in action. However, if your friend or loved-one was around back then, they'll love these rock-themed drinks coasters which are emblazoned with vintage American stubs.

Featuring legendary names such as The Beatles and Bowie, the handmade cork and wood accessories are sure to kindle nostalgia, but they'll also make for a great conversation starter as different generations argue about which era had the best music. One thing's for sure – gigs were a lot cheaper in those days. And if these artists aren't ideal, maker From The Shed also does packs containing rock and metal, vintage punk and 90s grunge-themed coasters too.

Booze

Best gifts for music lovers: BrewDog beers

(Image credit: Brewdog)

23. BrewDog beers

From beers to non-alcoholic varieties, BrewDog has plenty of choice

Specifications

Price: various
Company: BrewDog
Type: IPA, lager, stout, sour, non-alcoholic

Reasons to buy

+
Loads of choice
+
Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers

Reasons to avoid

-
12 packs would be great

BrewDog have been quenching our thirst since 2007 and have poured out a number of fine bottles and cans since then thanks to their wide range of beers, limited edition concoctions, collaborative projects and cool bars all over the world. But with so many brews to choose, where do you start if you're looking for a gift?

Over on BrewDog’s official website you’ll find a range of their best-sellers such as Punk IPA, Dead Pony Club, Elvis Juice, Hazy Jane and more. If that’s still too many to choose between, BrewDog have created bundle packs of 24 or 48 cans which will go down a treat.

And if you're looking to buy some non-alcoholic beer, we've picked out a great selection too.

Best gifts for music lovers: Slipknot No.9 whiskey

(Image credit: Slipknot/Cedar Ridge)

24. Slipknot No.9 Whiskey

Corey, Clown and co put their name to a delicious drop of American whiskey

Specifications

Price: $42/£60
Distillery: Cedar Ridge
Officially licensed: Yes
Alcohol: 45% ABV

Reasons to buy

+
Tasty, well made whiskey
+
Nice to see it at 45% ABV

Reasons to avoid

-
No age statement

We already have Motorhead and Scorpions single malt whisky and Metallica’s Blackened American whiskey – but there's always room for more and Slipknot are keeping their spirits up with their No.9 Iowa whiskey. It’s a collaboration with the Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery and, like the bottles mentioned above, it’s thoroughly enjoyable stuff.

The mash bill is made from 56% corn, 36% rye and 9% malted barley and special credit goes to Cedar Ridge for bottling it at 90 Proof (45% ABV) rather than watering it down to the bog standard 40% ABV (take note some Scotch whisky producers). Why is that important? Basically, more alcohol means more flavour and the No.9 Iowa whiskey has a lot of flavour. 

Upon sipping, your old man will find notes of honey, orchard fruits, lemon and chocolate – and then there’s a lovely spicy kick from the rye to round everything off. Brilliant stuff from the Iowa favourites.

Subscriptions

Best gifts for music lovers: Fender Play - man learning how to play guitar

(Image credit: Fender)

26. Fender Play subscription

Guitar, bass or ukulele lessons for the budding musician

Specifications

Price: $99.99/£105.59 for an annual sub
Company: Fender
Apps available from: Apple Music and Google Play

Reasons to buy

+
A great way to learn
+
Bite-sized lessons
+
Apps and video are excellent

Reasons to avoid

-
More advanced options please

If your friend is just starting out on their musical journey, then a subscription to Fender Play would make a brilliant gift.

Fender Play has been made specifically for those looking to learn guitar, bass or ukulele, and is the perfect way to get started, as the musical maestros at Fender have created bite-sized video lessons to help people play and learn at their own pace. And rather than being a chore, the lessons concentrate on popular songs to make learning engaging and, most of all, fun.

A Fender Play subscription costs $9.99/£9.99 per month or $89.99/£89.99 a year direct from the official website, with the first seven days free to new subscribers – and no credit card is required during the week trial period. Once registered, you can then download the Fender Play app on either Apple Music or Google Play.

Cards & paper

Best gifts for music lovers: Cassette Collection wrapping paper

(Image credit: Print In Press)

When choosing a perfect present, don't forget about the all-important wrapping paper and birthday card. There are loads of options out there, but we particularly like the products that are sold through Etsy, such as this awesome retro-themed music cassette gift wrap

Gift cards

If you've left getting something special for your friend or loved one until the last minute, don't worry – we have several gift card options available from some of the biggest online retailers. All the ones we've selected have the option to be delivered to your their email address on the day itself. Phew!

  • Amazon: You can send a standard or animated digital gift card direct to their email with your own personal message. Prices start at $10/£10
  • Sweetwater: Have e-Gifts available and you can also add your own personal message which will be dropped into your their inbox.
  • Guitar Center: Have digital gift cards and physical cards available. These can be put towards gear, lessons, repairs and rentals.
  • Thomann: If your friend or family member is into music tech, then Thomann have three gift card options available which can be delivered via post, email or SMS. 
  • Etsy: Home to a wide range of products, Etsy also have a range of gift card options which can be sent directly to them or to your own email. 

Where to shop

US

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UK

Claire Davies

During her tenure as a Total Guitar staffer and later as a freelance music journalist, Claire has attended her fair share of festivals and has camped out at most (there may have been the odd hotel stay). Claire was also the Outdoors Editor for Louder’s sister site T3, where she was in charge of hunting down the best tents for all camping scenarios.

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