Record Store Day (RSD) is an annual event involving more than 260 independent record shops across the UK, with thousands of stores across the world also taking part. The day reflects the fact that vinyl is no longer a niche business: in 2022 records outsold CDs, with over £150 million worth of album sales in the UK.
Hundreds of vinyls will be released just for RSD, and will be exclusively sold through brick-and-mortar record shops.
Many shops will also host performances to celebrate the day, so be sure to check with your local shop to see what it has planned.
If you want to get involved with this year’s Record Store Day, find out below which vinyls are being released and which London stores are taking part.
When is Record Store Day 2023?
Record Store Day is this Saturday April 22, 2023. The day has been celebrated annually since 2008. This year, Taylor Swift has been appointed as the first-ever global RSD ambassador.
She said: “I’m very proud to be this year’s Ambassador for Record Store Day. The places where we go to browse and explore and discover music new and old have always been sacred to me.
“Record stores are so important because they help to perpetuate and foster music-loving as a passion. They create settings for live events. They employ people who adore music thoroughly and purely.”
Swift went on to say: “We need to support these small businesses more now than ever to make sure they can stay alive, stay eccentric, and stay individual.”
Record Store Day release list 2023
There will be as many as 400 Record Store Day limited-edition releases. Record formats will include 7” vinyl, 10”, 12”, CD, picture disc and cassette.
Now, the full list of exclusive record releases has been announced, and there are some huge names on the list. Artists including Taylor Swift, The 1975 (this year’s record store ambassadors), The Rolling Stones and Sam Smith.
The records are nearly always available on a first come, first serve basis, and you can buy them from the 260 independent shops that have signed up for the day.
Records released for Record Store Day include:
- 1975, The – Live With the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra: 2LP
- Ali Farka Toure – Green: LP
- Baby Queen – Colours of You: 7″
- Beach House – Become: 12″
- Billy Joel – Live at the Great American Music Hall: 2LP
- Björk – Ovule (Sega Bodega Remix)/Atopos (sideproject Remix): 12″
- Bob Marley & The Wailers – Stir It Up: 7″
- Carole King – The Legendary Demos: LP
- Celeste – Lately EP: LP
- Chet Baker – Blue Room: The 1979 Vara Studio Sessions in Holland: 2LP
- David Bowie – Laughing with Liza – The Vocalion and Deram singles 1964 – 1967: 5 x 7″ box
- Dolly Parton – The Monument Singles Collection 1964-1968: 2LP
- Dome City Rock Orchestra, The – Quiet Village Pt 1/Quiet Village Pt 2: 7″
- Donna Summer – A Hot Summer Night (40th Anniversary Edition): 2LP
- Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Nights: 2LP
- Elton John – Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player: 2LP
- Fat Freddy’s Drop – Live at Roundhouse: 3LP
- Flash & The Dynamics – The New York Sound: LP
- Fleetwod Mac – Albatross: 12″
- Frank Turner – Tape Deck Heart: 2LP
- Groove Armada – Black Light: 2 LP
- Jamiroquai – Live at Maida Vale: 12″
- Jessie Ware – Free Yourself: 7”
- Kae Tempest – Nice Idea EP: 12″
- London Grammar – If You Wait: 2LP
- Loyle Carner – Yesterday’s Gone: LP
- Madonna – American Life Mix Show Mix: LP
- Marvin Gaye/Shorty Long – This Love Starved Heart of Mine (It’s Killing Meâ)/Don’t Mess With My Weekend: 7″
- Paul McCartney – Red Rose Speedway: Half Speed
- Police, The – Every Breath You Take: 2 x 7″ single
- Prodigy, The – Invaders Must Die Remixes +: 12″
- Ringo Starr of the Beatles – Stop & Smell the Roses: CD
- Rolling Stones, The – Beggars Banquet: LP
- Self Esteem – Compliments Please: LP
- Sigur Ros – Kveikur: 2LP
- Swedish House Mafia – The Singles: LP
- Taylor Swift – Folklore: the Long Pond Studio Sessions: 2LP
- Thin Lizzy – Live and Dangerous – Hammersmith 15/11/1986: 2LP
- Travis – The Invisible Band (Live): 2LP
- U2 – New Year’s Day – 40th anniversary edition: 12″ EP
- Unloved – Killing Eve’r Ode to the Lovers: LP
- Various Artists – Bossa Nova at Carnegie Hall: LP
- Velvet Hammer – Party Hardy (7″ Mix)/Happy (7″ Mix): 7″
The full list of records can be found on the RSD website.
Record Store Day 2023 London shops
On Record Store Day at Rough Trade East in Whitechapel you can find exclusive limited edition vinyl, live music, exclusive beer, exclusive merch and more.
It’s a chance for staff and customers to soak up the vibrancy of independent music retail and the communities they serve.
The following record stores in London are also taking part:
- Sounds of the Universe, Soho
- Sister Ray, Soho
- Phonica Records, Soho
- Honest Jon’s Records, King’s Cross
- Flashback Records, Islington
- Rough Trade East, Whitechapel
- Let it Roll, Kentish Town
- Shrubs & Dubs, Hackney
- Flashback Records, Shoreditch
- World of Echo, Bethnal Green
- Pure Vinyl, Brixton
- Lionvibes, Brixton
- Rough Trade West, Notting Hill
- Honest Jon’s Records, Notting Hill
- Peckham Soul, Peckham
- Stranger than Paradise, Hackney
- Vinyl Hunter, Bermondsey
- Lion Coffee & Records, Hackney
- Soul Brother, Putney
- Flashback Records, Crouch End
- Casbah Records, Greenwich
- The Book & Record Bar, Norwood
- The Flood Gallery LLP, Greenwich
- Les Aldrich, Muswell Hill
- Dreamhouse Records, Leyton
- Level Crossing Records, East Sheen
- Sleeve Notes Records, Richmond
Not all records will be available in every store, so check beforehand to see if your local shop has the record you’re looking for.
Also be aware that stock may be limited, so you may need to arrive early to ensure you get your records before they sell out.
