UK | Olivia Dean Announced As Ambassador For Record Store Day UK: …As part of this year’s event, the Grammy-winning and multi-BRIT-nominated London artist will release ‘Live At The BBC’, featuring her performances of songs by Carole King and boygenius. …Dean said: “It’s such an honour to be the Record Store Day Ambassador for 2026. Independent record stores are such special spaces to discover and share music—to actually touch it and feel it. I’ve found so much inspiration in the records I’ve collected over the years and am so grateful for all the hidden gems I’ve found. I want to thank the record stores around the world for all the support you’ve given me over the years. It’s so important we continue to support them and keep them alive!”
Tyldesley, UK | Tyldesley record store expands after six months of success: A Tyldesley record shop is expanding after just six months in business due to its ongoing success. Resurrection Records on Elliott Street in Tyldesley opened its doors in October last year in the hopes of introducing younger residents to vinyl records. Opened by Lynsey Boardman, 43 and partner, Mark, 55, the shop boasts vinyl records from classic artists such as the Rolling Stones to modern pop stars like Taylor Swift, including local performers such as The Lottery Winners. The shop is now expanding into a larger venue next door due to the ongoing success of the shop. Speaking to the Journal about the shop’s success, Lynsey said: “Mark has always worked as a DJ and it has always been his dream to open a record shop. When we first opened in Tyldesley, people were saying that we wouldn’t last six months, but we’ve been really busy, and we have all types of people coming in each week.”
Manchester, UK | In the groove: Manchester’s cult record shops and indie venues. Mancunians describe their home as “a city that thinks a table is for dancing on”. Nowhere is this truer than in Manchester’s music venues, whether you’re listening to synth rock in basement bars or indie bands in iconic clubs. From the much-missed Boardwalk where Oasis played their first gig to a club where Elbow pulled pints, Manchester’s storied music scene has launched careers, celebrated local talent and welcomed international artists. That’s why the arrival of The BRIT Awards 2026, sponsored by Mastercard, is such a significant cultural moment, bringing national recognition that exciting talent and creativity thrive beyond London. The move is a huge nod to Manchester’s active role in championing up-and-coming artists and giving them places to be seen and heard. Let’s take a look at some of its renowned venues.
Edmonds, WA | How This Edmonds Record Store is Supporting Women in Vinyl on International Women’s Day: On March 8—also known as International Women’s Day—Edmonds-based record store Musicology Co. will be participating in a “1% for WIV” campaign to support Women in Vinyl, a national nonprofit that works to lift up women and underrepresented voices within the vinyl industry. Rachel Gardner, owner of Musicology and Women in Vinyl board member, is leading the initiative locally. During the fundraiser, a percentage of Musicology’s sales will be donated to WIV to fund mentorship programs, scholarships, and career-development opportunities for DJs, producers, cutting engineers, and pressing-plant operators. Musicology will also be hosting live music and in-store activations throughout the day.
Allapattah, FL | New Vinyl Record Store Big World Opens in Allapattah: The boutique shop features curated house, techno, and disco records and weekly drops for Miami’s vinyl community. Miami is living through a golden age for vinyl lovers. Listening bars are multiplying across the city, DJs are doubling down on wax, and new record stores are popping up in neighborhoods you might not expect. From legacy shops that have weathered format shifts to newer arrivals like Crazy Vinyl Records in Doral, the culture around physical media feels stronger than ever, yep including CDs. Now, it’s Allapattah’s time to shine. This weekend (2/28), Big World officially opens its doors inside the newly renovated home of Jolt Radio, adding a boutique, DJ-first record shop to the station.
York, UK | Pair of York Region men spin their passion for music into Newmarket’s Wrong Way Records: Newmarket record store Wrong Way Records is the product of two men finally moving the right way in their careers. Store manager Adam Rayfield and owner/general manager Ray Pelletier can both testify to this. Before opening this store, both men were unhappy at work. They also both had women in their lives telling them to pursue their passion. Pelletier was unsatisfied working in business development for a consulting company. He remembers telling his wife: “I don’t want to do this anymore.” Her response? “So don’t.” The fact was that Pelletier just really wanted to start his own business. So, he quit his job.
Alexandria, VA | Flood-damaged Crooked Beat Records plans reopening with limited hours through April: Crooked Beat Records is reopening at its location on Mount Vernon Avenue with limited hours through the end of April, the store announced yesterday (Monday) on social media. The store at 2417 Mount Vernon Avenue closed after flooding on Jan. 11, and has since been selling merchandise at pop-ups. The store plans to reopen Thursday, Feb. 26, and will remain open on Thursdays from 3-6:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 1:30-6:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1-5:30 p.m. In a Facebook post on Feb. 19, store owner Bill Daly said that he and his staff are still cleaning up from the flooding‚but Crooked Beat will be open for its busiest day of the year, National Record Store Day, on Saturday, April 18. “It’s an unfortunate situation,” Daly said.
Bozeman, MT | Bozeman mourns death of Wax Museum owner Kels Koch: Bozeman, Montana, is mourning the sudden passing of a beloved record store owner and local KGLT DJ. Kels Koch, owner of the Wax Museum and host of “Shake Appeal” on KGLT, has died unexpectedly. Kels was a great man. He was a friend to many in Bozeman, and his store was considered the go-to spot for hard-to-find records. Koch was recently hospitalized due to a heart attack and seemed to be on the mend before his sudden passing. Details about a celebration of life have not been released. He cared about his customers and always took the time to contact them if something they were looking for showed up in his shop. He was a music historian, and customers could spend hours listening to his fascinating stories and unique perspective on musical genres.
San Fernando, CA | In the Midnight Hour, the San Fernando record shop at the center of the Valley’s ICE resistance: The soft hum of Chicano soul music bled onto the darkened street as a steady stream of people made their way into a record store in San Fernando, passing a sign in the window: “‘ICE, BIGOTS, MAGA’ are not welcome.” Vendor booths replaced vinyl racks, some selling miniature lowrider replicas and Chicano-inspired artwork. Attendees crowded the center of the shop, dancing to live soul music. One vendor cut and styled hair into slicked-back pompadours and high bouffants. It was a night inspired by pachucos, the 1930s-40s Mexican American subculture of zoot suits and ducktails, caló slang and jazz, that rebelled against discrimination as a form of self-empowerment and felt especially relevant since immigration agents began mass roundups of Latinos in Los Angeles.
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