Category Archives: A morning mix of news for the vinyl inclined

Dickson City, PA | Fans of vinyl line up early for Record Store Day in Dickson City: Kim Stenlake arrived at Dickson City’s Gallery of Sound before sunrise on Saturday, with a list of vinyl albums she hoped to purchase, with Bruce Springsteen’s music topping the entries. Stenlake, like thousands of vinyl aficionados across the country and across the world, was participating in Record Store Day, an annual global celebration that sees hundreds of artists release special, limited-edition vinyl, CDs and promotional items exclusively for the day. For Stenlake, of Moosic, the day was not only about music, but about family. Her son Eric Scritchfield and granddaughter Khloé Scritchfield, 9, stood beside her in a line that spanned the entire walkway and overflowed into the shopping area’s parking lot. “Today was a big day,” Stenlake said. “My son called to remind me about it.”

Portland, ME | Record Store Day spins into Portland music stores: Music lovers shopped exclusive records and deals during Saturday’s event. Sam Harmon browsed records at Bull Moose in South Portland on Saturday morning, a squirrel-adorned tote bag from Boston’s Beacon Hill Books and Cafe swinging on her shoulder. She expertly thumbed her way through various records—though she is a Boston resident, attending Record Store Day in Maine is a tradition for Harmon and her friend, Wells resident Leanne Brennan. “We both love music,” Harmon said Saturday. …This year, Harmon browsed on Record Store Day simply for the fun of it. But when Brennan caught up to her in Bull Moose on Saturday, she was holding a couple of records: the soundtrack to George Clooney-fronted film “O Brother, Where Art Thou” and something by PeeWee Herman. Earlier in the day, Brennan had scored an exclusive record from Southern Gothic singer-songwriter Ethel Cain. “It was the last one left,” she said. “But I almost always find something.”

Huntsville, AL | Huntsville record store sees biggest turnout yet for Record Store Day: Vertical House Records at Lowe Mill drew large crowds for special vinyl releases. Music lovers lined up at Vertical House Records at Lowe Mill on Saturday for National Record Store Day. The store offered special records released to independent stores in honor of the day, in addition to their regular inventory. “Definitely popular, like Taylor Swift, Ethel Cain. There was like a Slipknot record. Sorry, I’m trying to think of all of them. But there was a lot, for sure. But Billy Strings was a popular one. Sturgill Simpson had something as well. But yeah, there was probably about like 200 releases. So there was definitely quite a few,” said Andy Vaughn, co-owner of Vertical House Records. The owners said they had a large line throughout the day. This was their biggest Record Store Day yet.

Stockton, UK | Vinyl fans queue for exclusive Record Day releases: Vinyl fans have queued throughout the night to get their hands on limited edition records made exclusively for independent shops celebrating Record Store Day (RSD) UK. Regency Records in Stockton was one of six independent shops in north-east England taking part in the event, and the only one outside Newcastle. The crowd began to gather at 20:30 BST on Friday night and Simon Pearson, who was first in line, said the event was good for the area because it was “like a community centre but with music”. The annual celebration of independent record shops was set up in the USA in 2007 with the first official event taking place the following year. RSD’s organisers said thousands of record shops across the world now took part, with more than 300 in the UK and Ireland.

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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.

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Milton Keynes, UK | Biggest Record Store Day yet planned for Off the Record MK this Saturday: Willen Hospice’s independent music shop, Off the Record, is proud to be part of Record Store Day 2026 this Saturday (18 April), with more than 800 limited-edition albums on offer. Record Store Day is a global, annual event celebrating the culture, community and creativity that independent record shops bring to towns and cities. It features exclusive releases, live performances and special promotions that bring music fans together. Based in Midsummer Place, Off the Record will once again be opening early at 8am on Record Store Day to offer music fans exclusive, limited-edition vinyl releases on a first-come, first-served basis.

Madison, WI | How Madison’s record stores prepare for vinyl’s biggest day: Evan Woodward remembers rifling through crates of records at Strictly Discs during Record Store Day, before he started working there in 2010. “It wasn’t like what it is now,” he recalled. “There aren’t any other days like this.” Now Strictly Discs’ manager, Woodward pores over Excel spreadsheets listing thousands of records the store will receive in anticipation of the day, which takes place on April 18. He and the Strictly team need to catalog and alphabetize the anticipated 3,300 records they’ll receive, then set up and break down the staging area they’ll assemble on the block as people line up to nab exclusive releases. …Preparing for the day requires months of work. “It’s a big effort that just a small number of people are doing,” said Woodward. “It’s kind of like an extreme version of our job.” He estimates around 2,000 people will come through Strictly Discs’ doors on the 18th.

Phoenix, AZ | Record Store Day 2026 is almost here. How to celebrate in Phoenix: …The annual celebration is back for its 19th year on Saturday, April 18, taking place at independent brick-and-mortar record stores around the world, including many here in metro Phoenix. This year’s Global Record Store Day Ambassador is Bruno Mars, who happens to be playing two concerts in Glendale as we head into the weekend. In announcing his ambassadorship in a video shared on social media, shot at Moondog Records in Las Vegas, Mars shared some thoughts on what makes record stores so special. “Why record stores are so important is because you get the chance to immerse yourself, surround yourself with music,” he said. “I love being able to physically be surrounded by music. Not just staring at your phone and downloading something or listening to something on your phone, but to actually see all of this beautiful art around you. It inspires me.”

London, UK | All the London record shops taking part in Record Store Day 2026 (and the best deals): Time Out’s guide to the most unmissable Record Store Day events in London on Saturday April 18 2026, from free vinyl giveaways to club nights. When Record Store Day started out in 2007, it really did feel like vinyl might be on the way out: thousands of independent music traders were closing their doors as fans fled to cheaper (but less magical) digital ways of consuming their fave bands. These days, it’s more like a victory lap for the fantastic record shops that have created whole scenes around themselves, and become sites of pilgrimage for loyal customers. This year’s event falls on Saturday April 18, and as ever, it’ll be a stellar excuse to beat a path towards your local store for exclusive releases, and perks including free bevvies.

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Boston, MA | Countdown to the fab finds of Record Store Day: Last year vinyl record sales hit $1 billion in the US. With LP sales up about 10% from 2024 and indications that upswing will continue this year, vinyl is no longer a fad. It’s a way of life. Join the lifestyle on Record Store Day. On Saturday, April 18, record collectors celebrate a chance to hunt down rare and exclusive releases put out especially for the holiday. Here are a few of the best exclusives for 2026. This tribute to Mac is shockingly delightful. Looking at the label, you might go, “OK, cool, a bunch of covers by obvious-but-fun indie acts from Haim to New Pornographers to Best Coast.”

St Albans, UK | Counting down to this year’s Record Store Day: There are just a few days to go until the biggest weekend of the year for St Albans’ house of vinyl, the independent Empire Records in Heritage Close. National Record Store Day originated in the United States in 2007 after a group of independent record shop owners came together to celebrate and spread the word about the unique culture of their stores. Now every year hundreds of record shops across the UK participate in the celebrations. A staggering 500 exclusive records are released on Record Store Day and these are only available from these independent stores on Saturday April 18. Owner Marina De Sclavis said: “We’re very excited to be hosting our 12th Record Store Day this year. We feel we’ve got the best selection we’ve ever had, literally hundreds of exclusive vinyl records!

Oak Park, IL | Val’s halla Records Celebrates Record Store Day as Vinyl Sales Surge Nationwide: Val’s halla Records will mark Record Store Day on Saturday, April 18, 2026, opening at 8:00 a.m. for a full day of exclusive vinyl releases, live music, and in-store programming that draws collectors, artists, and fans into the shop from early morning through the evening. At 239 Harrison Ave in Oak Park’s Arts District, customers begin lining up the night before Record Store Day, with early demand driven by limited releases available only through independent record stores. The store sees sustained foot traffic throughout the day, with customers moving through the aisles to access new inventory and exclusive pressings. “Record Store Day at Val’s halla brings people together around a shared connection to music,” said Trevor Toppen, proprietor of Val’s halla Records.

Northampton, UK | Vinyl arrives at Northampton shops ready for annual Record Store Day: Vinyl by the likes of Taylor Swift, CMAT, Lil Peep and Charli XCX are among a host of releases which will be up for grabs at two Northampton shops this weekend when Record Store Day returns. Spun Out in Gold Street and Vinyl Underground in Abington Street will be selling a selection of this year’s records and in recent days have been receiving this year’s stock. Both shops will open at 8am on Saturday, April 18, with queues expected from the early hours of the morning. Spun Out owner Chris Kent, pictured with releases by CMAT, Lil Peep, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX and Elvis Presley, said: “It’s a big list this year and I’ve had lots of people coming in to request different titles. I’ve ordered a lot and this time around there’s a lot of interesting titles.”

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Cornwall, UK | ‘I am no longer scared of a record shop’—how a vinyl hub in Cornwall is uniting the community: Record Store Day is coming to seven shops in Cornwall, where a vinyl hub run by an indie legend is uniting the community. “I am no longer scared of a record shop.” That’s the view of a woman in Redruth who, like so many in her town, has found a community hub in their local vinyl emporium. Lucky’s Record Bar on Fore Street is one of seven shops in Cornwall which will take part in Record Store Day (RSD) on Saturday, April 18. The annual event celebrates independent record shops across the UK with exclusive, limited-edition vinyl releases where music fans queue—sometimes overnight—for special pressings. Shops sign up to a code of conduct with specific rules like “first come, first served.”

Melbourne, AU | Your guide to Record Store Day 2026’s huge list of live music instores across Melbourne: Record Store Day 2026 is descending on indie record stores across Melbourne and Australia on Saturday, 18 April. Packed with live instores, artist appearances and special events spanning city and regional communities, including Melbourne, Record Store Day Australia’s 2026 calendar is shaping up to be huuuuuge. From the Blue Mountains to Bondi, Geelong to Queensland, there’s barely a corner of the country that won’t feel the ripple of vinyl-flipping, community-building energy this year, hell yeah. Victoria is absolutely stacked. Country diva Queenie performs at Desert Highways, while Rocksteady Records brings sounds from Nat Pavlovic, Merpire and more.

Edinburgh, UK | Record Store Day is here again to keep us in a spin: Record Store Day is next Sat­urday and fin­gers crossed so far there have been no major hic­cups. It did look like there was going to be a major prob­lem when Taylor Swift announced she would be releas­ing a seven-inch single but nobody had told her UK record com­pany. So as the news broke in the States not only were shops taken by sur­prise but for sev­eral days even her record com­pany here didn’t know any more than the title and format. However, all has ended well and the single Eliza­beth Taylor is described as being on Cry My Eyes Violet Glit­ter vinyl. The good news is we are receiv­ing a good num­ber of the single, mean­ing we are con­fid­ent any­body who turns up on the day will be able to buy one.

Kelowna, BC | Kelowna plays host to music collectors and album sellers: The annual Vinyl in the Valley record sale returns to Kelowna on Saturday, April 18. There will be some 30,000 record albums, CDs and cassettes available for sale. Everything from rock and jazz to blues and country music genres will be represented for sale. John Gowland, organizer of Vinyl in the Valley, says the event offers those wanting to begin a record collection or expand on what they already have an excellent opportunity. “Our event is the place to be,” Gowland said. “Turntables, amplifiers and speakers will also be for sale from vendors if you wish to upgrade your existing stereo system an inexpensive prices.”

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VA | 8 Northern Virginia Record Stores Selling New and Vintage Vinyl: Many of these shops are also celebrating Record Store Day with special releases. Music lovers, put down the Spotify playlists and reach for something a little more nostalgic. Around Northern Virginia, there are several independent record shops that stock new, used, and rare vinyl records and CDs. And, for an added layer of excitement, many shops are celebrating Record Store Day on April 18 with special releases and discounts. Just be sure to plan ahead if you’re participating in RSD—stock is often limited, and many record shops get long lines.

MN | Where to Shop in the Twin Cities for Record Store Day: Local record stores are offering deals, giveaways, and live music in honor of vinyl. It’s that time of year again for music lovers. Record Store Day is officially hitting record stores on April 18, and there’s plenty to celebrate in Minnesota. There are more than 300 limited-edition vinyl runs available on Record Store Day, from artists ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Bruno Mars. Some have a connection to Minnesota, including: 2 Meter Sessions, a collection of live recordings by The Jayhawks; Live at Revolution Hall, a 43-track record by Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker; a 20th anniversary expanded edition of Body of Song by Hüsker Dü guitarist Bob Mould; and a singles collection, File Under: Easy Listening, from Mould’s other band Sugar. Every record store is unique with what exclusive records they’re selling.

Wheeling, WV | It’s a Vinyl Revolution: Nail City Record in Wheeling Puts the Needle on Record Store Day 2026: Mark your calendars! Record Store Day returns on Saturday, April 18, and Nail City Record in Wheeling is gearing up for the big event for 2026. Doors open at 10 a.m., but if past years are any indication, expect music lovers lining up well before then. Nail City Record is located at 40-12th St., Suite 300, on the third floor of the McClain Building in the heart of Wheeling. This year’s Record Store Day exclusive releases include highly anticipated titles from Taylor Swift, Robert Plant, George Harrison, Bruno Mars, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Strings, Fall Out Boy, Tyler Childers, Olivia Dean, Paramore, Caamp, Ethel Cain, Megadeth, Bring Me The Horizon, Waylon Jennings, John Prine, Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, and many more.

Norman, OK | A&E: Norman’s only independent record store celebrates special day: …On April 18, Guestroom Records celebrates Record Store Day, opening early at 10 a.m. with hundreds of new exclusive releases on hand. The event recognizes the special culture of independent record stores. In past years, people have lined up on Main Street before the doors are unlocked. Much of the inventory will be marked down up to 40%. Free refreshments will be provided and there will be an on-site T-shirt printing event by Oscillator Press. …“We’re busier now than in the past,” he said. “For the first ten years we were a niche business. We were selling music right at the height of Napster when everybody was sharing MP3 files and getting music for free. It was a year when more record stores were closing than ever before. …The general public gets it.”

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UK | Record Store Day 2026 in Scotland: When is it, Scottish participating shops, available records, how to buy, and can you buy online? Vinyl sales are continuing to increase every year—meaning that this year’s event is likely to be bigger than ever. Record Store Day has become a major event for vinyl lovers since the inaugural event in the US in 2007 sold barely more than 10 different limited edition pressings by artists including Death Cab for Cutie, R.E.M. and Stephen Malkmus. Now over 200 independent record stores across the UK take part each year, selling thousands of copies of exclusive vinyl, from new releases to old classics. Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s event.

UK | The wee gig lowdown: A Record Store Day 2026 special. Here’s where you’ll be able to catch some live music while you empty your wallet on precious vinyl. For this month’s Wee Gig Lowdown, we’re highlighting a few of the record stores going big with free performances and artist showcases on Record Store Day, which takes place on Saturday 18 April. There’s every chance that plans will change after publication of this article, so double check with your local record store before you finalise your schedule. VoxBox Music: Stockbridge’s boutique record store of choice has always gone all-out on RSD with an all-day line-up of Scottish acts that reflect the values of the shop, and this year’s no different…

Burlington, NC | Main Street Vinyl Celebrates Record Store Day 2026 with Music, Exclusive Releases, and Downtown-Wide Festivities: Main Street Vinyl invites music lovers, collectors, and the local community to celebrate Record Store Day 2026 on Saturday, April 18 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at its downtown location, 321 S Main Street in Burlington. Record Store Day is a worldwide celebration held annually to honor independent record stores and the culture that surrounds them. The event brings fans and artists together through exclusive, limited-edition vinyl releases, live performances, and a shared love of music.

Los Angeles, CA | Sounds of Music, a cornerstone of East LA’s oldies and soul scene, is at risk of closing: Customers say if the record shop closes, it’ll take decades of East LA history and culture with it. Just a few blocks away from East LA’s Whittier Boulevard arch—a symbol of Chicano pride—Sounds of Music has served as a cultural hub for decades. The record store, which has specialized in Chicano soul, oldies and “souldies” since 1964, is now at risk of closing if sales don’t improve. “I was going to close up in January,” owner Mario Reyes said. “We’re kind of month to month right now.” Reyes inherited the store from his father, Carlos Reyes, who relocated to East LA from Montebello in 1967.

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Syracuse, NY | The Sound Garden announces 2026 Record Store Day details in Syracuse: Syracuse’s 2026 Record Store Day festivities will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 18 at The Sound Garden at 310 W. Jefferson St. Record Store Day has celebrated independent record stores across the country since 2008. It happens on the third Saturday of every April, when independently-owned shops sell exclusive vinyl and CD releases for in-person customers. It’s a way to honor staff members, artists and music lovers across the nation. Customers will be let into the shop on a first come, first served basis. Only one copy of a title can be purchased until everyone in the line is served.

US/UK | Record Store Day is proud to announce Robert Plant as the latest recipient of its Record Store Legend award. This accolade recognizes Robert Plant’s lasting impact on music around the world and his ongoing dedication to supporting new artists and record shops, as well as the record store community’s deep admiration for his work. “Record stores have always been a part of my life. For me, once you get to the physical record it’s because you really want to know and be a part of what the artist was considering. And I know, as a guy who’s been making records since 1966, people want to take home something very special, to enjoy all the elements of what an artist has put together. We want a connection between the music and the art of the whole thing.”

Princeton, NJ | Recording Artist Billy Squier in Princeton to “Tell the Truth” on Record Store Day: …Squier will be in Princeton on Saturday, April 18, at the Princeton Record Exchange (PREX) for National Record Store Day, created to celebrate the culture of the independently-owned record store. “On this special day, hundreds of limited-edition titles are exclusively available at brick-and-mortar record stores like PREX,” said Jon Lambert, PREX owner. “It’s the only day I know of in Princeton when hundreds of fans line the streets for hours.” Among the titles fans will be waiting to pick up is the special edition, Record Store Day double vinyl issue of Squier’s Tell the Truth, newly released by Flatiron Recordings. Considered Squier’s “lost” 1993 album, this is the first time the album will be released on vinyl.

Newton Abbot, UK | Vinyl-lovers set to celebrate record shop culture: A Newton Abbot record shop is among the hundreds of stores across the UK taking part in this year’s Record Store Day. The town’s independent record store, Phoenix Sounds, is preparing for the special event, which includes limited edition pressings of EPs and vinyl. The shop’s owners, Roger and Marsha Cox, alongside employees Megan and Alice, will welcome record-lovers from 8am at their East Street store. ‘We are excited and nervous about having our first Record Store Day in the new premises’, Roger and Marsha said. …‘Current circumstances have shaped the way we have had to operate and even though we are spinning in a smaller space we want to ensure the spirit of the old premises is replicated making the new space a go to for all music lovers across the county,’ they added.

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VIA PRESS RELEASE | The Cranberries are celebrating their 1993 studio debut Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? with several new physical formats, among them a Vinylphyle edition.

Cut directly from the original master tapes by Joe Nino-Hernes and featuring a four-panel insert with tape box scans and new liner notes written by Stuart Clark, deputy editor of Irish culture magazine Hot Press and author of the book Why Can’t We about The Cranberries and Dolores O’Riordan.

Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? will also be available as a Deluxe Limited Edition 3LP set featuring newly remastered audio from the album’s original producer Stephen Street, as well as a complete new mix of the album, all done at Abbey Road Studios in London.

The 3LP edition includes tracks recorded during the original album sessions, unreleased live tracks from their London Astoria II show in 1994, and the acclaimed Iain Cook remix of “Linger.”

FL | Where can I celebrate Record Store Day 2026 in Florida? While the biggest day of the year for music lovers is still over a week away, it never hurts to game-plan a little early. Record Store Day is returning this month for its 19th year, featuring hundreds of exclusive releases from both beloved and upcoming artists. USA Today says the annual event, typically held in April, has served as a treat for vinyl owners and an introduction for newer digital-age music fans. …Today, Record Store Day is celebrated at independently owned brick-and-mortar record stores around the world. Here’s where to celebrate in Florida.

Lancaster, PA | Record Store Day 2026: Lancaster County music store owners prep for ‘frenzy of excitement.’ Record store owner Dan Flynn’s shortlist of basic needs? Water, oxygen and rock ’n’ roll. Needless to say, Flynn takes music seriously. He’s spent years cutting his teeth at record shops, and owns A Day in the Life Records, 24A W. Walnut St., Lancaster, alongside his wife, co-owner Ashley Spotts. As Record Store Day—held this year on Saturday, April 18—approaches, Flynn has the opportunity to spend the day with fellow music lovers with an event that celebrates shopping small and prioritizing physical forms of media. “There’s typically a frenzy of excitement. It feels like a celebration.”

Big Flats, NY | Squatch Den Records prepares for Record Store Day: It’s never been easier to listen to any song you want at any time with the use of music streaming platforms. But that hasn’t stopped classic vinyl records from rising in popularity, and one local shop says they’re seeing the trend right here in the Twin Tiers. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said in a report that vinyl sales are growing, reaching a $1B in the United States in 2025. It’s a trend that local record store owners Aaron and Ash Cullen said they’ve seen in their own business, Squatch Den Records. “We see customers of all ages. All the way from infants all the way up to people in their ’90s, honestly and everywhere in between,” Aaron Cullen said.

Washington, DC | Best record store: Som Records. On 14th Street by Logan Circle, Som Records occupies a basement that pulses with the energy of music lovers. The shop is packed wall to wall with records, cassettes and collectors, each visit a chance to uncover something unexpected. Even after five years of collecting and four trips to Som, I still leave with records I didn’t know I needed, like a used copy of The Beatles’ first double A-side single, “We Can Work It Out/Day Tripper,” which still hangs proudly on my wall. Som stands out because it serves every taste. From timeless classics to recent releases, new or used, across every genre, there’s always something that sparks joy.

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Boston, MA | The Record Store Day 2026 Most Wanted: Record Store Day (RSD) has always been a vinyl lover’s holiday, but 2026 is shaping up to feel more like a full-on rock pilgrimage. Set for April 18, Record Store Day 2026 continues its tradition of celebrating independent record shops with exclusive, limited-edition releases you can only get by showing up and digging through the bins. And if you’re a classic rock fan? This year is stacked.

Durham, NC | Bull City Records to close after 20 years in business: Last Sunday afternoon, Chaz Martenstein shared a big announcement on the Bull City Records Instagram account. “Friends! It is with a full, steady heart that I am announcing the retirement of Bull City Records,” the post began. After earning the love and trust of the local music community over the past 20 years, the appreciation and support started pouring in instantly. “Thank you so much for all the years of wonderful music and just being a wonderful person,” one commenter posted. …Since opening, Martenstein has watched the decline of CD sales and the resurgence of vinyl sales, witnessed the growth of music streaming, and survived both a recession and a lockdown. He says after all that, the time to wrap things up is now, on his own terms.

Derry, IE | MacD on Music: Still The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year. …Record Store Day (this year happening on April 18th) is one of the biggest days for any independent record shop, and here in Derry, Cool Discs is the only place to get all those exclusive releases. Owner Lee Mason says: “As many customers of Derry’s finest record shop already know, every single week Cool Discs always have a selection of new, exclusive, limited vinyl releases and most of the time when they’re gone they’re gone.” “Record Store Day is on another level—it’s like all weeks rolled into one day! Cool Discs was one of first record shops in Ireland to be invited to take part in RSD way back in 2008, and we’ve watched it go from strength to strength, to the point when it’s now the shop’s busiest day of the year.”

Philadelphia, PA | Check out decades of great music on Record Store Day: WXPN host Mike Vasilikos thinks back on endless hours spent hanging out in the record store shops on Long Island. As a teen growing up in the 1990s, Vasilikos would frequent a handful of mom & pop stores as well as the giants like Tower Records to discover new music or maybe something vintage. Before streaming services, CDs, cassette tapes and vinyl were the gateway to music bliss. “Nineties kids actually hung out with their friends in places that weren’t the internet,” said Vasilikos, who hosts WXPN’s midday shows from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 88.5 FM. “We would go to record stores. I grew up on Long Island and Tower Record was where I bought most of my albums. The footprint of the store was huge. It was the place you would go to discover music, buy music and also get your concert tickets there. I just remember being there a lot.”

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Nottingham, UK | Nottingham shop owner could be forced to move after business rates go up by staggering amount: An independent trader says his business rates have almost tripled in the past two years, forcing him to consider relocating. The increase in business rates has coincided with the revaluation of rateable values and the phasing out of a Covid relief scheme, putting Gary Prail, owner of Fac1981, a record shop in St James’s Street, in a tough situation. The rates at his shop have risen from £4,000 to over £11,000 since April 2024. A firm’s rateable value is based on the market value of what it would cost to rent the firm’s property for a year, plus a government-set multiplier. The record shop owner said: “I moved in two and a half years ago, my rent was £25,000 and my business rates were £4,000, then last April it went up to £9,700, then to £11,100, and it’ll go up even more next year. It’s a lot of money, you feel like you’ve been punched in the stomach.”

Baltimore, MD | ‘My mind was blown’: Community raises over $11,000 to keep the lights on at Baltimore business. A record store and music venue can now plan for more sold-out shows after community members stepped up in their time of need. Wax Atlas, located on Harford Road, operates as a used record store by day. By night, the space transforms into a concert venue for new groups and young bands. “Baltimore is just really filled with talent right now, it’s just not as filled with places for people to perform as it could be,” owner Andrew Phillips said. Phillips said that is why Wax Atlas is here. All the money made from selling records goes into music and arts programming. In under three years, the venue has hosted more than 300 events. The shows require a lot of electricity, and Phillips said his latest BGE bill included an extra $1,450 fee. “You know it doubles or more the store usage, which is fine, amps take electricity, we’re happy to pay it, but all these extra fees,” Phillips said.

Philadelphia, PA | Let WXPN Be Your 2026 Record Store Day Guide: We’ve got a new tool to help you find the record stores closest to you. Plus, our limited ‘Homegrown Originals Volume 4’ vinyl will be available at 13 of the featured shops. April 18 is Record Store Day, and here at WXPN it’s basically a major holiday. After all, our slogan is “vinyl at heart.” In anticipation of the crate-digging day, we’ve got a guide that will help you find hidden gems, classic albums, and new artists at record stores near you. We’re featuring dozens of shops in Philadelphia, its suburbs, New Jersey, Central Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland that are perfect for collectors, analog enthusiasts, and casual perusers alike to visit. To find stores nearby, simply enter your address in the tool below and record stores in your area will pop up.

Toledo, OH | Listen Hear: Record Store Day Turns 18. Record Store Day, April 18, marks the 18th year of the beloved celebration of local music shops, and the event is going strong. Record Store Day (RSD) is “a day to celebrate the role [record stores] play in their communities and the people who make them spin: the staff who run them, customers who shop them, and the artists who make the music they sell.” The centerpiece of this event is the bounty of special album releases, re-issues, and more that artists and record labels drop just for RSD. As in years past, Toledo’s record stores are well represented, with five separate shops joining the April 18th festivities—Culture Clash, No Noise Records, Your Media Exchange, and the two locations of Allied Record Exchange.

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Detroit, MI | Record Store Day strikes the right chord April 18: Music fans, this is your day. We know that on April 18, you’ll head to your favorite independent music store for the annual Record Store Day. You’ll line up for hours outside before it opens, form bonds with other record fanatics waiting alongside you and hunt for new titles to add to your collection. Record Store Day, launched internationally in 2007, celebrates the culture of independent record stores. Artists from all categories—classic rock, rap, blues, jazz, punk and country—release music. New releases on CD, vinyl, 12-inch and more are available for purchase from enthusiastic employees who can’t wait to talk music with their customers.

London, UK | Old St Records are giving away free drinks this month to celebrate old school vinyl. Record breaking? …To celebrate Record Store Day on 18th April, Old St Records in Shoreditch is giving away free drinks – but there’s a catch. In order to redeem your free drink (of your choice), you’ll need to show a same-day receipt from a record store, showing a purchase. The idea is to celebrate independent record stores, and vinyl-music culture. And if the name Old St Records sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve queued outside and danced your way in to one of their other London locations like Venn St Records, Northcote Records, or Eastcheap Records. Kicking off at Old St Records on 18th, it’s not just a free drink but a proper all-day party celebrating rubber records and its cult indie scene.

Portland, OR | Bruce Springsteen makes surprise visit to Southeast Portland record store: A Southeast Portland record store received a visit from The Boss himself Thursday afternoon. Ahead of his Friday concert at the Moda Center, rock icon Bruce Springsteen paid a visit to Jackpot Records on Hawthorne Boulevard. Founded in 1997, the independent record store has collected various accolades, including being named one of the Top 25 Record Stores in the U.S. by Rolling Stone back in 2010. …Jackpot employee Kim Conyers told KOIN 6 News Springsteen’s visit was a nice surprise, noting, “He was an incredibly kind guy!” “I saw him and wasn’t sure, so I checked the tour dates online,” Conyers recalled. “I said, ‘You got a gig in town man?’ And he laughed and said, ‘Yeah, tomorrow.’ He bought a beanie with our logo on it!”

Media, PA | A Media record store captured the sounds of Delco on a nearly 100-track album: Delaware County is a special place with special sounds, and workers at one record store in Media traversed the county to capture some of those most iconic sounds. The Greatest Hits record store on South Jackson Street produced a vinyl record made up of nearly 100 tracks that are uniquely Delaware County. Shop Manager Jesse Gennett and other co-workers assembled a combination of field recordings and studio productions for the “Sounds of Delco” album. “We wrote the tracks, we came up with the ideas. Wrote some mini scripts,” he said. Gennett said some tracks didn’t make the cut, but those that did range from a man stuck holding the door at Wawa—“Go ahead. No you go. Somebody go. Have a good day. Go Birds.”—to ‘Patti: A Hair Salon Complaint’—“One side is up and one side down. I don’t believe I asked for that.”

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US | Taylor Swift Wasn’t the Only Winner of Physical Sales in 2025: Luminate’s 2025 Year-End Music Report is chock-full of useful data for those looking to learn more about the state of the music business and its consumer trends. Among the notable metrics from last year was that Total U.S. Album Consumption (album sales plus track-equivalent albums plus stream-equivalent albums) grew 4.8% year over year in 2025, slightly outpacing total U.S. On-Demand Audio streams (+4.6% YoY). Interestingly, that boost in album consumption seems to have been fueled by physical album sales, which grew a healthy 6.5%, to 16.2 million units—the biggest YoY percentage of all the key U.S. metrics. The most natural explanation for that growth is Taylor Swift, whose latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, and its many physical variants sold incredibly well. But digging deeper into the data shows other key players helped push physical music to a strong late-year finish, which in turn directly impacted overall industry consumption growth.

London, UK | The 10 best record shops in London: The must shop stops for any London-bound record collector, according to musician, producer and record collector Joe Armon-Jones. In the age of streaming and digital media, there’s something undeniably satisfying about having an album you love on vinyl. The sound is warm, the act of lowering the stylus onto the record has an aspect of ritual about it and the cover is a piece of artwork. Vinyl never quite went away, but it did go on the downlow. Many albums in the 1990s and 2000s were only produced in tiny numbers on wax as CDs reigned supreme. But then came the comeback. Whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool collector with thousands of records taking up half your house, or a casual fan who likes to take your favourites out of the digital domain and own the physical album—hunting for records is a pure unadulterated joy.

Eugene, OR | House of Records: Three Eugene businesses in threatened industries thrive during the pandemic. House of Records lives in a sage-green house finished with a copper-red trim on 13th Avenue in Downtown Eugene. Inside on May 3rd, 55-year-old Greg Sutherland stood polishing a record with scraps from an old cotton T-shirt. He calls records artifacts and says polishing them is his favorite part of the job. That morning, he finished sifting through 500 disks. It took him a few days to get through them all. He liked about 300 of them. For Sutherland, this is routine. “I’ve done the same thing every day for a decade,” Sutherland says. Sutherland has been the manager of the House of Records for 35 years. He was a big fan of the store while he was in college at the University of Oregon. After three years of being a dedicated customer, the store hired him in 1986.

Big Rapids, MI | Book and record store to open in Big Rapids: Two siblings are preparing to open Big Rapids newest business, Books and Beats, a store selling vinyl records, used books and music lessons in downtown Big Rapids. The store is owned by 17-year-old Hudson Pease and 19-year-old Bella Pease, and will be opening directly next to Quinn’s Music at 210 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 2. The shop will offer many used books and records, while offering lessons in guitar, bass and piano, while also hosting small events alongside Budd Greenman, owner of Quinn’s Music. Hudson spoke about the events that they could host in the future. …The siblings said the business fills a gap that Big Rapids is missing, specifically for vinyl buyers. Big Rapids used to have a large bookstore closer to campus, which closed down in 2017, and its audience was mainly Ferris students.

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Durham, NC | Durham record store will close soon after 20 years. When you can still shop: A downtown Durham record store is closing after 20 years, its owner shared on social media. Bull City Records owner Charles “Chaz” Martenstein announced the “retirement” of the store Sunday, March 29 on social media. “It has been my absolute pleasure connecting with all of you through our shared love of (and need for) music,” Martenstein said in the post. “Without your support it would not have succeeded as long as it did and for that, I am eternally appreciative. This community has been amazing from the start.”

UK | Ask The Reader: What’s the UK’s best independent record shop? Vinyl Week is coming soon, and we want to know your favourite stores to buy from. Record Store Day (RSD) is on the horizon, and to celebrate, we’re hosting our usual Vinyl Week in the run-up. This covers all things vinyl, from the best record players to buy, to tips for buying second-hand vinyl and the best RSD special edition releases. But we have a question. What’s the UK’s best independent record shop? And we want you, the readers, to help us answer it. Maybe you have a long-term favourite that’s served you well for years. Or there’s one particular shop that specialises in a niche genre. Perhaps it’s the staff that make it, and you pop there for a chinwag when you’re not even buying anything. Or maybe you just stumbled upon a great little shop while on a weekend away.

Brisbane, AU | Relove Oxley Makes 2026 Record Store Day About Community: Music lovers and collectible hunters, Record Store Day Australia returns this month. The annual, global celebration of independent record stores that originally started in 2008 when Metallica launched the debut event at Rasputin Music in Mountain View, California, will land on Saturday 18 April. As the resurgence in physical formats of music offering tactile experiences blooms further, Record Store Day (RSD) continues to support music communities, labels, emerging and established artists, while highlighting local indie record stores and their unique role as cultural hubs and community spaces. A prime example of this ethos is Relove Oxley. Nestled in a leafy corner of Oxley (near the local train station) in inner-southwest Brisbane, and formerly a FoodWorks store, Relove Oxley is an oasis for lovers of nostalgia, offering an expansive collection of vinyl, CDs, DVDs, toys and collectibles as well as vintage furniture.

Fayetteville, NC | Back-A-Round Records reintroduces vinyl to Fayetteville: The door chimes as Joseph Mason opens the door at Back-A-Round Records. The sound of rock music fills his ears as he ascends the narrow staircase lined with graffiti-esque art, glowing under black lights. Mason, a regular at the record store, begins thumbing through the worn sleeves of vinyl that crowd the small shop. All around him are boxes packed with music from records, CDs and cassette tapes, spanning genres and decades. “You never know what you’re going to find in a place like this,” Mason said, his eyes fixated as he flipped through the records. “It’s like you’re actually surrounded by Spotify.” During his search, Mason pauses when he pulls out “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” an album by War, and smiles.

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