Bel Air, MD | Fans camp out at Bel Air record store ahead of Record Store Day to buy rare and exclusive vinyl: Vinyl enthusiasts are lining up early at REB Records in Bel Air to secure rare releases as vinyl sales continue to top $1 billion annually. Music lovers are already camping out at REB Records in Bel Air ahead of Record Store Day to get their hands on rare vinyl releases. The unofficial holiday celebrates music on vinyl and the independent stores that sell it. Sales do not start until 8 a.m. Saturday, but dedicated fans are already waiting outside the store. Haley Holleman, who was third in line, said she is looking for specific rare releases. …Gerry Wills, who was second in line, explained why he prefers the sound of vinyl over digital formats.
Seattle, WA | Record Store Day 2026 sights at Easy Street: As we previewed last night (when music fans were already getting in line), doors opened at 7 am this morning at Easy Street Records for the biggest day of the year: Record Store Day. We stopped by at 7:40 am, when the line was still wrapped around the block past the Wells Fargo parking lot on 44th Ave SW. The weather was clear and pleasant and spirits were high. Many of those in line told us that their shopping list included the “Brandi Carlile Live at Easy Street Records Volume II” record (a followup to the Grammy winner’s first live album recorded at the store almost 20 years ago). The album contains recordings from her band’s performance at Easy Street last October. Yesterday, the band stopped by the store…
Buffalo, NY | Local shop celebrates Record Store Day 2026: Saturday was the biggest day of the year for vinyl collectors. Collectors lined up for exclusive drops at Revolver Records as the shop celebrated Record Day 2026. Eric Buchbinder, Revolver Records manager, said the day was all about encouraging collectors to shop local. “It’s an important day to help support local indie record stores, you know, that’s the whole point of the holiday,” Buchbinder said. “You know, we have exclusive titles that nobody else has, none of the big box stores have. You know it’s just a day to support us.” A few of the artists featured in today’s drops included Pink Floyd, Taylor Swift and Olivia Dean. Shoppers can expect more exclusive drops coming to the shop later this year on Black Friday.
Billings, MT | Record Store Day spins success for Billings store amid vinyl revival: Music fans lined up before sunrise Saturday outside Cameron Records in Billings, some waiting overnight, as Record Store Day drew crowds eager for limited-edition vinyl releases. By the time the doors opened at 8 a.m., more than 200 people had gathered outside the independent shop, reflecting a growing demand for records that store owner TJ Goodwin said continues to build each year. “Record Store Day is a worldwide holiday,” Goodwin said. “It was established to celebrate the community of independent record stores and what they bring to their community.” The annual event, founded more than 15 years ago, now includes more than 1,200 participating stores nationwide. …At Cameron Records, nearly 200 exclusive titles were stocked this year, ranging from major artists like Bruno Mars and Madonna to niche and independent releases. Many sold out quickly.
Louisville, KY | Fans camp out for nearly 24 hours for National Record Store Day: Fans lined up around a local record store to be the first inside for National Record Store Day. Some people arrived as early as 9 a.m. the day before. Fans of vinyl records and exclusive releases are once again lining up for one of music’s most beloved traditions: National Record Store Day. Dozens of people were lined up around 3 a.m. to be the first inside Guestroom Records on Saturday morning. Chelsey Constant was among those dedicated fans. “We got here at like 1:30 in the morning,” Constant said. “Someone told me that they got here at like 9:30 yesterday morning [so] it’ll be like a full 24 hours for them.” For independent record stores, the annual celebration is one of the busiest and most anticipated days of the year. Shops across the city are stocking exclusive and limited-edition releases that will not be available once the event is over.
Boise, ID | The Record Exchange celebrates Record Store Day: Record collectors and music fans have a packed weekend of exclusives, live music, and special events as The Record Exchange celebrates Record Store Day on Saturday, April 18. The store’s Record Store Day hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the celebration stretched from April 17 through 20 with sales and events. The Record Exchange stocked more than 350 exclusive Record Store Day vinyl releases on April 18, including titles from Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Jeff Buckley, Paramore, The Cure, Joni Mitchell, Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, the Doors, David Bowie, and many more. The Record Exchange Gift Shop opened at 7:30 a.m. April 18 to let the first part of the line inside the store.
Glenside, PA | Fans line up on Record Store Day for Pierre Robert’s music collection: On Record Store Day, hundreds of people lined up outside Vinyl Chickie in Glenside for a chance to take home a piece of Philadelphia radio history: music from the personal collection of longtime WMMR DJ Pierre Robert. Tim Hosmeister of Center City said the music immediately brought him back to the broadcaster who first shaped his love of rock. Good day in the morning. And just be a good citizen,” Hosmeister said, recalling the voice he grew up with. “He is Philadelphia. He’s a legend. He brings so many people together.” Robert, a celebrated WMMR DJ for more than four decades, died last October. After his death, Lisa Schaffer, the owner of Vinyl Chickie, was offered the opportunity to purchase his collection of about 300 LPs and 250 CDs.
Dubuque, IA | Record Store Day brings people out to shops in Dubuque: People from all over came out Saturday to buy vinyl records, CDs and other music merchandise on Record Store Day in Dubuque. “It’s a good day for people to come out and have a shared experience with like-minded people,” said John Duccini, owner of Moondog Music. A line of people waited outside the store before it opened at 9 a.m. Saturday. Moondog Music offered vinyl records released on Record Store Day, 20% off all vinyl records in the store and buy-one-get-one-free t-shirts. Vinyl sales in the United States crossed $1 billion in 2025, an increase of more than 9% year-over-year, according to Recording Industry Association of America. Scott McPherson visited from North Liberty, Iowa to check out Moondog Music. He stopped in twice Saturday. “Every time, we leave and say, ‘we don’t need that,'” McPherson said. “Then, when we’re leaving town, we stop in again.”
Wallingford, CA | Music lovers fill Wallingford’s Redscroll Records for Record Store Day: Music lovers filled Redscroll Records in Wallingford on Saturday to celebrate Record Store Day. Owners said the event has drawn the attention of more people every year since it first launched, as well as their vinyl sales. “I mean, my favorite thing about Record Store Day is absolutely when people come out here for the first time, check out the store and see what we have to offer,” Redscroll Records Co-Owner Rick Sinkiewicz said. “And hopefully that’ll entice them to come back the rest of the year.” Record Store Day is celebrated semi-annually with one honorary day in November and April.
Syracuse, NY | For some Syracuse vinyl fans, Record Store Day is well worth an hours-long wait: The line stretched for a tenth of a mile, which may not seem like a lot unless you were in the back. Those in the front, though, were the lucky ones, or rather the most punctual. Some brought lawn chairs, blankets, and even their kids. A pair of portable speakers aired out vintage jazz from the parking lot pavement to set the morning mood, along with the smell of smoke of various sorts. The doorman had been there since 7 a.m. and said that when he arrived there were some people who were already there (two hours early!)—and still not in the front. This wasn’t the line to the I.R.S. office (Tax Day was three days prior). This wasn’t the line to the bathroom at a water park. Nor was this the line to a Taylor Swift concert, though for some this was the line to purchase one song of hers off her latest album (“Elizabeth Taylor,” to be exact, and on the B-side a “So Glamorous Cabaret” version).
Rockford, IL | National Record Store Day draws crowds to Rockford’s Culture Shock: Culture Shock in Rockford hosted its 19th annual Record Store Day event Saturday, featuring new releases from a variety of artists. These records, available exclusively at independent record stores, mark National Record Store Day. The event is the busiest day of the year for Culture Shock, according to the store’s owner. This annual occasion highlights the continued popularity of physical media, particularly among new generations of collectors. Skyler Davis, owner of Culture Shock, has observed a renewed interest in physical media over the nearly two decades his store has been open. Culture Shock began operations in 2006. Davis commented on the format’s enduring appeal. “I feel like people have been saying physical media or records are going away, ever since we opened in 2006,” Davis said. “But every few years there’s a rebirth or new generation picking that up. Now, we are seeing kids and older people, looking for records and collecting them.”
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