17/04/2012

Record Store Day - 21st April


This year's esteemed Record Store Day is nearly upon us, and for the real muso's out there, this is possibly one of the most exciting days in the calendar. The concept of Record Store Day makes great music so easily accessible, that there's no excuse not to head out to an event near you!


Record Store Day came into being in 2007 when over 700 independent stores in the USA came together to celebrate their unique culture. The UK followed suit with this year being the fourth celebration of the UK's unique independent sector. This is the one day that all of the independently owned record stores come together with artists to celebrate the art of music.


One of the biggest appeals of Record Store Day are the special vinyl and CD releases as well as the various promotional products that will be on offer, exclusively for one day only. And just when you thought it couldn't get any better, hundreds of artists across the globe are set to make special appearances and performances at the scheduled events. A one-off chance to see the people behind some of the most cutting edge music around at the moment, as well as supporting your local, independent music scene. It's a win win situation if you ask me!


"Record shops are as important as the records themselves." - Noel Gallagher.


To find your participating record store, as well as everything else that's happening on that day, just visit http://www.recordstoreday.co.uk/participating-stores.


Here are some of the events and performances happening near us (particularly London and Brighton):


  • Rough Trade East London
  • Keane
  • Wet Nuns
  • Becoming Real
  • Hohnny Flynn
  • + more tbc


  • Rough Trade West London
  • Stealing Sheep
  • Cate le Bon
  • 'allo darlin
  • Tom The Lion
  • Gemma Ray


  • One Stop Records, Brighton
  • Selected special RSD releases , lots of new used stock , free refreshments and dj's.


  • Head, Bromley
  • 7 local artists: Keston Cobblers Club, Guy Valarino, THE CUT OUTS, Van Susans, Cellarscape, The Chase and Josh Beech and the Johns. Sixties Musician, Carl King, will also be popping in to sign his RSD single. Free refreshments, cake sale, raffle and exclusive RSD prizes.


And the event I'm most excited about - Piccadilly Records, London (see poster below)


I really want to see PINS and Young British Artists, who I first saw last month at The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch. Saturday is going to be a good day!


To see a full list of products and events, just visit www.recordstoredat.co.uk.


"Record store day is a great idea. We totally support the idea of a day which encourages people to go out and enjoy their local record shops. If only because buying your records from a shop is a much more enjoyable and inspiring experience than buying online in your front room in your pants." -Young Knives’ bassist