- Record Store Day is a week away — vinyl becomes available on April 18
- Many US and UK stores take part (and are bound by official RSD rules)
- The best drops? Depends on your taste, but it’ll be first come, first served
- …and available in-store on the day only — until the Monday night after RSD
Dyed-in-the-wool vinyl collectors already know the date: Record Store Day (RSD) got circled in their diaries early doors. But you’re not too late at all — the (arguable) beauty of RSD is that it’s an in-person, in-store thing. Think of it as what Black Friday used to be, but purely for limited-edition vinyl.
Well then, my fellow plate spinners, let’s go.
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What is Record Store Day?
Record Store Day is a day for crate rummagers and those who work to fill said crates — the artists, the labels, the store staff, and of course, the customers.
The key to it all is The List. To explain, on Record Store Day, over 365 exclusive and limited-edition releases will line the shelves of your local record store. This year, the list includes notable releases from Wolf Alice, Olivia Dean, Elton John, Black Sabbath, Bruce Springsteen, and more.
Record Store Day was conceived in 2007, when a collection of record store owners came together in the US to celebrate and publicize the unique culture of local independent vinyl shops.
The first official event took place on April 19th, 2008, and today it’s marked and celebrated by thousands of record stores all over the globe. RSD’s official website calls it “the biggest new music event of the past decade”, and given the hundreds of limited-edition vinyl offerings that launch (and may well sell out) on the day, it’s easy to see why.
In the UK and Ireland, over 300 indie record shops participate. In the US, it’s, well… a lot more than that, with up to 1,500 bricks-and-mortar stores on board.
To be a Record Store Day retail store, the stores are required to sign a pledge. This means stores are bound by the Record Store Day code of conduct, which prohibits them from reserving a product for customers or allowing customers to pre-order any products — yes, it really is about being there on the day and getting in line early for the LPs you want.
When is Record Store Day?
Short answer: Saturday, April 18th, 2026.
There’s only one Record Store Day a year. What if you can’t make it on the day? That’s a tricky one, because Record Store Day releases are only available in-store, through Record Store Day-affiliated shops on the day of Record Store Day.
That said, remaining stock can become available online after 8pm on the Monday following RSD. Only Record Store Day shops may purchase Record Store Day products legitimately, and stores are bound by the Record Store Day code of conduct, which prohibits selling online until 8pm on the Monday following RSD. So if you see the LP of your dreams listed on eBay for a very high price before the big day, that particular seller isn’t an official RSD vendor but is likely planning to buy it on the day to resell on the auction site after the fact — and RSD does not support this.
You can search for participating stores near you on the official Record Store Day site but you’re advised to contact the store in advance to confirm whether they will be carrying the release you’re looking for. Stores are not permitted to reserve a product for customers, so you will need to visit the store early on Record Store Day to secure the release you’re after!
What are the best limited-edition offerings this year?
I’m going to level with you: for me, it’s always going to be The Boss. This five-LP (yes, five!) release is a live recording of Bruce Springsteen’s 2024 homecoming performance in Asbury Park at the 2024 Sea.Hear.Now festival.
This release is the first time it’s being made available on vinyl, and it spans over three hours of Bruce and the E Street Band’s absolute best work in front of 35,000 people. It includes hits such as Thunder Road and Dancing in the Dark, plus tracks that Springsteen wrote just down the road from this stage, including Blinded By The Light and Growin’ Up.
Two of my all-time favorite Springsteen songs are For You and Spirit in the Night, from the 1973 banger Greetings from Asbury Park (considered a solo Springsteen studio album, although musicians who’d later become members of the E Street Band do feature on it), so forgive me for prioritizing this record. But that’s the beauty of RSD, isn’t it? You get in line for the LPs you like the look of, and no one should judge you.
Another that caught my eye are archival 1956 live sets from Miles Davis, the only recordings in history to feature both Miles Davis and Lester Young. They took place across several concerts on their European ‘Birdland All Stars’ tour, 70 years ago now.
And OK, there’s a really glorious 7″ ‘Cry My Eyes Violet Glitter’ sparkly purple press of Tay-Tay’s Elizabeth Taylor (including the So Glamorous Cabaret version) if you’re into it.
Honestly, I could go on. My genuine advice is to check it out. Search for your favorite artists (the official list has a handy search feature) because the chances are someone you like is launching a limited-edition press for RSD.
Other things to note about Record Store Day
It’s not just vinyl! Over the years, I’ve seen limited-edition versions of some of the best turntables launch ahead of RSD, turntable-shaped watches, and even RSD official beers to sip while you wait in line. Already this year, Majority has launched a special colorway turntable-and-speakers package if you need something affordable ahead of the event.
My top tip there? A Sony deck. Yes, the new Sony PS-LX5BT is in, and we like it very much, but the 2019-issue Sony PS-LX310BT is still a very viable deck — and if you see a deal ahead of the big day, it’ll play very nicely with your Bluetooth speakers and headphones…
I’ll be covering any notable Record Store Day adjacent products as and when I see them, but for now, start a list and stick it on the fridge — you’ll need it next Saturday!
The best turntables for all budgets
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becky.scarrott@futurenet.com (Becky Scarrott)
