SAM FENDER ANNOUNCED AS AMBASSADOR OF RECORD STORE DAY UK

Last weekend saw independent record shops across the UK and Ireland come together to celebrate Record Store Day on Saturday 18th April. Over 300 independent record shops took part, hosting live performances, signings, DJ sets and special events to mark the occasion. Many record shops collaborated with fellow retailers on their high streets including coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and community centres, as well as collecting donations for local charities. For example, Dash The Henge (London), Vinyl Fetishes (Manchester) and The LP Café (Watford) hosted multi venue festivals, Thorne Records (Edinburgh) had support from their neighbourhood pizza restaurant, Vox Box (Edinburgh) teamed up with their nearby brewery, Rotten Records (Cornwall) offered discounts at their local coffee shop and there were a host of other initiatives designed to support their local communities. With the 19th annual celebration gaining momentum every year, Record Store Day reported their largest ever event with sales up 25% on 2025 and record-breaking footfall through independent retailers' doors. Kim Bayley, CEO of the digital entertainment and retail association, ERA, which organises RSD on behalf of the nation’s independent record shops, said: “This year’s Record Store Day demonstrated as never before the emerging role of record shops as cultural hubs on the high street, bringing together music fans across generations and breathing new life into town centres. Congratulations to all the shops who took part and thanks to all the artists, labels, sponsors and countless other partners who made it possible.” Thousands of cross-generational vinyl collectors began queuing from the day before to get their hands on the 500 special limited-edition releases, which saw high streets become buzzing hubs for music fans. Queues at many stores circled the block with many shops reporting that queues were still ongoing late into Saturday afternoon. Slow Century Records took part in their first Record Store Day, owner John Ellis said: "Our first ever Record Store Day was phenomenal, we had a blast. We had no idea how it would all pan out on the day, thankfully the day was a massive success and great for the wider high street too. We had music all over the high street in all sorts of venues from opening at 8am until 11pm, our own IPA in the bar two doors down. We were extremely fortunate to have support from BBC Radio Birmingham too!" Resident Music, Brighton saw their largest crowds in 2026, owner Natasha Youngs said: “The Saturday itself beat all previous years in terms of attendance and sales. The RSD weather gods took good care of us again and the sunshine added to a brilliantly buzzy day of fulfilled wish-lists, shared fandom, laughter, new friendships, live music, artist signings, DJ sets and general good vibes. The days following the event have also been insanely busy, with our highest ever post-RSD sales instore. And then the online after-party delivered another bumper boost to sales.” Sister Ray, Soho has participated in Record Store Day every year, owner Phil Barton said: “Busy, busy, busier than ever. RSD once again brought the party to a packed Soho. Everyone benefits from RSD. Us, the other record stores, the community and the other businesses that embrace our day as their own.” Regular Record Store Day queuer, Jack White said: “I met my friends Chris and Beth in the queue outside Sister Ray on Record Store Day 2017 and we’ve kept in touch ever since. We’ve met up for RSD a few times over the years to grab lunch and chat about how our years have gone. Such a brilliant example of how RSD and more broadly music can bring people together!” Record Store Day would like to thank its official partners - BBC 6 Music, Bowers & Wilkins, Breed Media, Jack Daniel’s, Jubel, Lagom, Metropolis, Tribe and War Child for their support. Next year will see Record Store Day mark the 20th anniversary of the independent record shop event.