Can you play a flexi disc on a normal record player?

Yes, you can play a flexi disc on a normal record player. A flexi disc, also known as a phonosheet, is a type of vinyl record that is flexible and thin. It's usually made of a thin, flexible vinyl sheet rather than the rigid material used for traditional vinyl records.

To play a flexi disc on a regular record player, you'll need to use a turntable with a stylus suitable for playing vinyl records. Ensure that the turntable is set to the correct speed for the flexi disc; they typically play at 33⅓ RPM or 45 RPM. Additionally, since flexi discs are thin and flexible, it's important to handle them carefully to prevent damage.

While flexi discs may not offer the same audio quality as traditional vinyl records, they can be a fun and unique addition to a record collection. Keep in mind that some older turntables may not have the capability to play flexi discs due to differences in stylus design, so it's advisable to check your turntable's compatibility before playing.

Top tip: if you find that either the record or the needle is slipping during playback, you could place a heavier coin onto the record’s label. This will weigh the record down and keep everything in its right place!

Now that you know you can play flexi discs on your record player, how about adding some to your collection? Here are ten of the most interesting flexi-discs that we’ve seen in the last few months.

The Beatles fan club Christmas records were a series of flexi disc recordings sent out to members of The Beatles' official fan club as an annual Christmas gift. These recordings were a way for the band to express gratitude to their fans and to share a bit of holiday cheer. The tradition started in 1963 and continued until 1969.

Each Christmas record featured a mix of music, skits, messages, and general goofiness, showcasing the band's humour and camaraderie. The recordings were typically not high-fidelity productions; instead, they were more like intimate, informal sessions.

Another Christmas record, this one was released in a limited edition of 4400, and were given away at the Haçienda nightclub on Christmas Eve 1982.

The Haçienda nightclub was closely associated with Factory Records, the independent record label founded by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus in 1978. The Haçienda, often referred to simply as "The Haç," was a legendary nightclub located in Manchester, England. It became an iconic venue in the late 1980s and early 1990s, playing a crucial role in the emergence of the Manchester music scene and the rise of acid house and rave culture.

This record was pressed as a blue flexi disc, and pressed by Melodiya, the state-owned major record label of the Soviet Union. This means that this is an example of music/a musical recording that was permitted by the state.

This flexi disc is not to be confused with some other flexis pressed in the USSR during this era which are often associated with a specific type of vinyl record known as "Roentgenizdat" or "Bone Records." These were homemade or underground recordings created by Soviet music enthusiasts and fans who were eager to share and distribute Western music that was not officially available in the Soviet Union.

We only discovered this record recently – it is a standard 7” vinyl release, but with a flexi disc laminated to the front of the sleeve! This probably takes inspiration from some of the oldest flexi discs out there, which were pressed onto postcards and could be sent across the world just like that, as a postcard. 

These could be a cheap way to promote new music to fans, or even a way to send a snapshot of music home from a holiday destination. The flexi disc on this record’s sleeve plays excerpts from their upcoming album “Talk Talk Talk” and we think it was a brilliant way to promote their upcoming record. 

This flexi disc is a split single featuring two artists – Los Negativos and Ricky Amigos. A split single typically features two different artists or bands, each contributing one or more tracks to one side of the vinyl record. These releases often showcase the diversity of musical styles within a particular scene or label and help to turn fans onto new artists.

Los Negativos is a Spanish rock band that emerged in the late 1970s. They are associated with the punk and new wave movements in Spain, with inspiration from The Byrds and The Beatles. Ricky Amigos is a French flamenco-rock & rumba n’roll band, created in 1983.

Released in 1980, this record was given away for free by many record stores when they were new and at least 75,000 copies were pressed. The A side states “This is a free record” and the B side “This record should not have cost you anything, wherever or however it was obtained.” 

Much like the New Order flexi, this record was pressed by Lyntone who were best known as a manufacturer of flexi discs, although they did press many other records too.

This is a red-coloured flexi version of Looking For Footprints by XTC. It was given away with copies of issue 16 of Flexipop Magazine. The magazine was known for its innovative use of flexi-discs. Flexipop included these discs with each issue, featuring exclusive tracks, interviews, or other audio content. 

Other artists who released flexis through Flexipop include The Jam, Adam and The Ants, Depeche Mode, Blondie and Marc Almond, to name just a few.

Much like the previous example, this green Toyah single was also released by Flexipop magazine! You may notice the circle on the label saying “Place coin here if flexible record slips.” Some flexi discs came with this advice printed directly on the record.

The flexi-discs included with Flexipop were a major draw for readers. These discs featured unique and exclusive content, such as interviews, alternative versions of songs, or even comedy sketches.

Elvis Presley's AFN Broadcast in 1960 refers to a series of radio broadcasts that Elvis did for the Armed Forces Network (AFN) while he was stationed in Germany. The AFN broadcasts in 1960 included performances and interviews that Elvis did for military personnel. These broadcasts were intended to boost the morale of American soldiers stationed overseas and to keep them connected to popular culture from back home.

Recordings of these AFN broadcasts have become collectors' items and are appreciated by Elvis fans. They provide a snapshot of Elvis's talent and charm during a specific period in his career.

Another one that was given out in a magazine, this one came from Smash Hits! Magazine. Again, this one too was pressed by Lyntone. The record was promotional material for ‘Black Levi’ branded jeans by Levi’s. 

Artists featured on the flexi include ABBA, Bucks Fizz, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Madness, The Jam, Police and more.