Article

Behind the Counter returns for a fifth series ahead of Record Store Day 2024

January 26, 2024

Behind The Counter is back, returning for a milestone fifth season on 30th January! 

In case you’re new to the series, Behind The Counter is an annual 12-part video series, celebrating the unique culture, heritage, and individuality of independent record stores across the UK. 

Watch the trailer now:

The series has enjoyed more than 2.5m views over the years, and is an ongoing collaboration between Record Store Day, Classic Album Sundays and Bowers & Wilkins.  


The aim of the series is to take viewers on a tour of the UK’s best-loved independent record shops, showcasing the passion and dedication of owners who are central to their local music scenes. Many independent record stores are the beating heart of their community, creating safe and personal spaces for music lovers to connect and also discover their next favourite artist.  


The series will take you all over the UK, from Edinburgh to Essex, Liverpool to Somerset and everywhere in between! Episodes will be released every Tuesday at 10am on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube in the run up to Record Store Day, 2024 – so mark your calendars! 


In recent years, indie record shops have seen a resurgence as the vinyl revival continues. Many new stores have opened in recent years, with vinyl sales now at a 15-year high. ERA, the digital entertainment & retail association, reported 2023’s year-end market figures, which saw vinyl album sales reach £177m, up 17.8% year on year. CD sales also rose for the first time in two decades, reaching £126m. 

This good news continues for record stores, with music sales overall increasing by 9.6% in 2023 to £2.2bn, marking 11 successive years of growth for the industry.  


Tony Gaughan from Blitzkrieg records said: “One of the best things about being the owner of Blitzkrieg shop, is that every day is like Christmas. You come in, there’s a delivery and you can’t wait to open that box and see what’s inside. The music coming out of the box always excites me”. 

Behind the Counter has visited a whole new range of shops for series five, giving you a taste of the classic indie record shop vibe and their instrumental role bringing music directly to fans. 


From heavy metal culture at Merseyside’s Dark Earth, to Anja Petitto’s non-judgmental space for female customers at Tough Love in Hastings, the series continues to uncover that “personal touch” (Jon Clifford, Dreamhouse Records) behind every door of the UK’s much-loved stores! 


Revered British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins continues its support for the series as the official partner by celebrating the impact high quality sound can have on the experience that vinyl offers. 

This year, the stories from Behind the Counter will feature 12 indie record shops, including: 


Blitzkrieg shop, Glasgow 


Dark Earth, Merseyside 


Defend Vinyl, Liverpool 


Dreamhouse Records, London 


Hey Joe, Essex 


JM Records, Exeter 


Raves From The Grave, Somerset 


Smugglers Records, Deal 


Tangled Parrot, Carmarthen 


Thorne Records, Edinburgh 


Tough Love, Hastings  


Vinyl Van, Dorchester 

share this article

other news

Related Articles

Standing Firm in Power and Pride

October 21, 2025
Record Store Day are proud to celebrate UK Black History Month.

RECORD STORE DAY BLACK FRIDAY: EXCLUSIVE RELEASES ANNOUNCED

October 2, 2025
This year, Record Store Day’s sister event, Black Friday, returns on Friday 28 th November with a stacked lineup of special releases, exclusively for independent record shops. Highlights include limited edition vinyl from Sam Fender & Olivia Dean, Fred again.., Icona Pop & Charli XCX, Bruno Mars, Maribou State, Billie Eilish, Young Fathers and over 100 artists across a variety of genres, ensuring something for every music fan. Releases will be available exclusively at UK independent record stores from 8am on 28 th November. Find participating stores here, with a full list of titles found here . Record Store Day Black Friday continues to offer a unique alternative to the usual Black Friday frenzy, focusing on collectible editions and memorable releases that music lovers of all ages will treasure for years to come. Lägom Studio And it’s this unique and premium alternative to Black Friday that perfectly sets the stage for the introduction of Record Store Day UK’s official new partner, Lägom Studio. Lägom Studio sets out to create bespoke furniture that truly celebrates the joy of record collecting. From their Lincolnshire workshop, Lägom Studio's team of 10 like-minded creatives—including artists, designers, DJs, and collectors—designs and builds beautiful solid wood storage and display pieces. Specializing in bespoke solutions for vinyl, mixed media, and hi-fi components, they offer a high degree of customization in size, finish, and layout. Chris Mitchell, Director, said of the partnership: “We are passionate about vinyl, music and design, and set out to bring solid, lasting furniture back into a disposable world. Our pieces are made to be cherished for a lifetime, just like the records they hold. We are excited to partner with Record Store Day as it aligns perfectly with our own ethics and our ongoing support for independent shops and high street record stores at the heart of the music community.” More information on the partnership will be revealed in the coming months, but in the meantime, you check out the full list of exclusive releases coming soon to your local independent record shop. For details on each title, visit the RSD website here . 

ALBUM OF THE MONTH: THE LAST DINNER PARTY - FROM THE PYRE

October 1, 2025
From The Pyre is the second album from Brit Award winners, record shop favourites, and rising indie sensations, The Last Dinner Party. Coming off their Mercury Award–nominated Prelude to Ecstasy, the London-based five-piece are back, delivering theatrical indie rock that cements their place as one of the UK’s most exciting new bands. “It is our absolute delight to present our new album From The Pyre to the world,” the band say. “This record feels a little darker, more raw and more earthy; it takes place looking out at a sublime landscape rather than seated at an opulent table.” Although only a year has passed since their debut, the band have been cultivating these songs since their earliest rehearsals in 2020. Lead single Nothing Matters has been a staple of every setlist since their very first gig at the George Tavern. Reflecting on these early songs, the band say: “We have held, nurtured and fed these first songs for a long time, and in return they have flown us to heights and guided us on journeys once totally incomprehensible.” From The Pyre is a concept album, with character-driven stories bound by the allegorical world of ‘The Pyre’. Each track is imagined as part of a travelling medieval mystery play, with the band cast as its players. “This frame narrative felt like a way of visually representing our lives as a band, once again mythologising the everyday,” they explain. This month, indie record shops are stocking From The Pyre on exclusive Inferno 140g vinyl. With neon colours that echo the album cover, a 12x12” lyric sheet, and a collectible sticker, it’s a must for fans. So head to your local indie record shop and grab From The Pyre when it drops on 17th October - the Last Dinner Party’s second chapter of theatrical indie rock, perfect for vinyl lovers and anyone ready to dive into their mythic world!
ALL ARTICLES