Play Music Today

Play Music Today was the trading name of S&T Audio Limited, a United Kingdom retailer of musical instruments, audio equipment and related accessories. The business began in 1991 when Simon Gilson and Terry Hope opened its first shop in Southend-on-Sea, England. It later developed from a regional music shop into a national retail operation combining physical stores, mail order, e-commerce, editorial content and product-focused video. The company was widely known as PMT, PMT Online or PMT Music, while its earlier formal trading identity was Professional Music Technology. The retailer served musicians across a broad range of categories. Its assortment included electric and acoustic guitars, basses, drums and percussion, keyboards, public-address equipment, studio and recording hardware, DJ and producer equipment, vocal products and musical-instrument accessories. The online operation supplemented product sales with buying guidance, product-release coverage, instructional articles, equipment comparisons and curated lists. This content strategy positioned the retailer not only as a transactional shop but also as an information source for musicians choosing instruments and recording or performance equipment. PMT expanded its physical presence to locations across England and Wales, ultimately operating 15 stores. Its Birmingham location was described as the largest music shop in the United Kingdom. The company’s central warehouse, logistics, sales, marketing and e-commerce functions were based in Speke, Liverpool, while the original Southend store represented the brand’s earliest retail presence. The business also used video as a way to reach musicians beyond its stores. Its PMTVUK YouTube channel published reviews of newly released equipment, how-to material and buying-oriented features aimed at musicians with different levels of experience. Acquisitions formed part of the company’s expansion. In May 2011, PMT acquired Liverpool-based online music retailer Dolphin Music. Dolphin initially continued as a separate trading identity, but its website was later closed and integrated into PMT Online in 2017. In March 2016, PMT acquired Nevada Music in Portsmouth and subsequently converted the existing store to the PMT brand. The retailer also attracted public attention in 2013 when musicians associated with Radiohead and Supergrass supported efforts to preserve its Oxford location during a proposed hotel redevelopment involving conversion of the premises into a cafe and restaurant. In 2022, Professional Music Technology adopted the name Play Music Today. The rebrand presented the company as more community-oriented and inclusive, emphasizing the idea that music-making should be accessible regardless of a customer’s skill level. The same year, the original Southend store closed. Although the renamed business retained its retail, online and content activities, it later encountered financial difficulties. On 11 June 2025, S&T Audio Limited entered administration and the business ceased trading. Gear4music subsequently acquired certain stock and intangible assets, including websites and trademarks, from the administrators, but did not acquire the company’s trading business. Play Music Today is therefore treated as a defunct retailer rather than an active operating brand.

Play Music Today originated in Southend-on-Sea, England, where Simon Gilson and Terry Hope opened the first store on 17 August 1991 through S&T Audio Limited. The business initially traded as Professional Music Technology and focused on selling musical instruments and associated equipment. Over time, it expanded beyond its original store into a multi-location retailer serving customers across England and Wales. Its retail offer covered guitars, basses, drums and percussion, keyboards, public-address systems, vocal equipment, studio and recording products, DJ and producer hardware, and accessories. The business developed a combination of physical retail and online commerce, with its warehouse, logistics, sales, marketing and e-commerce operations located in Speke, Liverpool. The online channel became known as PMT Online and supported the store network with a broad national assortment. PMT’s expansion included acquisitions. In May 2011, it bought Liverpool-based online retailer Dolphin Music. The acquired business continued to trade under the Dolphin name for a time, allowing the two identities to coexist. In 2017, Dolphin’s site was closed and integrated into PMT Online, bringing the acquired online operation into the main PMT structure. In March 2016, PMT also acquired Nevada Music in Portsmouth and rebranded that existing shop as a PMT store. The company’s stores became notable within the United Kingdom’s specialist music-retail sector. Its Birmingham branch was described as the country’s largest music shop. The Oxford store received attention in 2013 when members of Radiohead and Supergrass supported attempts to stop the location being converted into a cafe and restaurant as part of a hotel development. This episode reflected the cultural role that specialist instrument shops can play in local music communities, beyond their commercial function. PMT also invested in content and community-building. Its website published information about new products, instructional guides and lists comparing or recommending instruments. The PMTVUK YouTube channel extended this editorial approach into video, offering product reviews, how-to material and best-of features for musicians at different experience levels. The channel helped the retailer communicate product knowledge and reach audiences outside its physical stores. In 2022, the business rebranded from Professional Music Technology to Play Music Today. The new name was intended to communicate a more welcoming and inclusive proposition, presenting music as an activity open to everyone rather than only experienced or professional players. The original Southend store closed in the same year, marking a change in the company’s physical footprint even as the broader retail identity continued. The company’s operating life ended in 2025. On 11 June, S&T Audio Limited entered administration and Play Music Today ceased trading. Gear4music acquired some stock and intangible assets from the administrators, including websites and trademarks, but did not acquire the trading business itself. The brand is consequently recorded as defunct, with its history spanning more than three decades of specialist musical-instrument retail in the United Kingdom.

• 2025

  Administration and cessation of trading

  [1]Play Music Todayen.wikipedia.org

  S&T Audio Limited entered administration on 11 June 2025 and the Play Music Today business ceased trading.

• 2022

  Play Music Today rebrand

  [1]Play Music Todayen.wikipedia.org

  Professional Music Technology adopted the Play Music Today name and promoted a more inclusive, community-focused brand proposition. The original Southend store also closed.

• 2017

  Dolphin site consolidation

  [1]Play Music Todayen.wikipedia.org

  The Dolphin Music website was closed and its online operation was merged into PMT Online.

• 2016

  Nevada Music acquisition

  [1]Play Music Todayen.wikipedia.org

  PMT acquired Nevada Music in Portsmouth and changed the store’s identity to PMT.

• 2013

  Oxford store redevelopment dispute

  [1]Play Music Todayen.wikipedia.org

  Musicians linked to Radiohead and Supergrass supported efforts to preserve PMT’s Oxford location during a proposed hotel redevelopment.

• 2011

  Dolphin Music acquisition

  [1]Play Music Todayen.wikipedia.org

  PMT acquired Liverpool-based online retailer Dolphin Music and initially maintained both trading identities.

• 1991

  First store opens in Southend-on-Sea

  [1]Play Music Todayen.wikipedia.org

  Simon Gilson and Terry Hope opened the first store on 17 August 1991 under S&T Audio Limited, beginning the business that later became Play Music Today.

A broad United Kingdom music-equipment retailer combining stores, e-commerce, buying advice and educational content, with a later brand emphasis on community, inclusivity and accessible music-making.

• String instruments

  Guitars and basses

  Guitars and basses were central parts of the retailer’s instrument assortment. The category covered instruments for beginners, hobbyists, performing musicians and recording users, supported by related accessories and buying guidance through the company’s stores and online content.

• Percussion instruments

  Drums and percussion

  PMT sold drum kits, percussion instruments and associated hardware as part of its multi-category music-retail offer. Its product content and stores were designed to serve both new players and more experienced musicians seeking equipment for practice, performance or recording.

• Keyboard instruments

  Keyboards

  Keyboards formed another major product category, alongside the retailer’s wider selection of electronic and music-production equipment. The category was promoted through online merchandising and product-review content aimed at helping customers compare newly released instruments.

• Audio equipment

  PA and live-sound systems

  The company supplied public-address and live-sound products for musicians, performers and other users requiring amplification and sound reinforcement. These offerings complemented its instruments and positioned PMT as a broader performance-equipment retailer rather than a specialist in one instrument family.

• Recording equipment

  Studio and recording equipment

  PMT’s assortment included studio and recording equipment for home studios, producers and professional users. The category sat alongside the company’s educational articles and video reviews, which explained products and use cases for musicians working outside traditional live-performance settings.

• Music-production equipment

  DJ and producer equipment

  DJ and producer equipment broadened the retailer’s relevance to electronic-music creators and performance users. It was part of the wider PMT strategy of carrying instruments, audio hardware and accessories across multiple forms of music-making.

• 2025

  Administration and cessation of tradingOther

  Background

  S&T Audio Limited, the company operating Play Music Today, entered administration after more than three decades in specialist music retail.

  Action taken

  The company entered administration on 11 June 2025 and ceased trading.

  Aftermath

  Gear4music acquired selected stock and intangible assets, including websites and trademarks, but not the trading business.

  Source

• 2022

  Rebrand from Professional Music Technology to Play Music TodayStrategy

  Background

  The company sought a more accessible and community-oriented identity that would speak to musicians regardless of experience.

  Action taken

  It adopted the Play Music Today name and emphasized inclusion, participation and the idea that music-making should be available to everyone.

  Aftermath

  The rebrand accompanied the closure of the original Southend store and preceded the company’s entry into administration in 2025.

  Source

• 2016

  Acquisition and rebranding of Nevada MusicM&A

  Background

  PMT expanded its physical-store network by acquiring Nevada Music in Portsmouth.

  Action taken

  The Nevada Music store was rebranded as a PMT location.

  Aftermath

  The transaction added another PMT-branded store to the United Kingdom network.

  Source

• 2011

  Acquisition of Dolphin MusicM&A

  Background

  PMT sought to expand its online and regional retail presence through the purchase of the Liverpool-based Dolphin Music business.

  Action taken

  It acquired Dolphin Music and allowed the acquired operation to continue under its existing name for a period.

  Aftermath

  The Dolphin website was eventually closed and integrated into PMT Online in 2017.

  Source

1. 1Play Music Todayen.wikipedia.org