If you are into music, then Record Store Day (RSD), Saturday, April 18, will likely already be marked in red on your calendar. Especially if you love listening to vinyl or are addicted to collecting special editions. It’s a great celebration of music and of your local record store.
My Audiophix colleague, Jonathan Eig, has nicely set out his thoughts on how to make the most of the day in the US. That’s where RSD started back in 2007. Since then, it’s grown into an international event. The UK is one of the larger participants, alongside the US, and joined in 2008, just a year later.
So what's happening in the UK? Well, your ultimate guide is via Recordstoreday.co.uk. But a lot is geared toward your local record store or shop. Over 300 independent record retailers in the UK participate, with many putting on events, live music, talks, and more. My local one doubles up as a cafe too, so a strong long black coffee or a cup of tea comes with a cool playlist.
4 great Record Store Day UK exclusives the US is missing out on
Alongside that local element, many special releases are coming out on the day. A lot has already been listed, but there are some differences across countries. Over here in the UK, we have more records that aren't being released worldwide and may miss out on the US.
Some are restricted, for a short while at least, to just the UK. Although in most cases, if any of the limited releases remain unsold, they will likely be made available online. A full list is provided at the UK Record Store Day link above.
Here are four that won't be making it onto the US stores list, but will be released in the UK. I’ll certainly be looking out for these to add to my collection.
Annie Lennox - Live In Central Park
A double LP from the excellent Annie Lennox and her fabulous singing voice. As the title indicates, it’s a live recording from her Central Park, New York concert on September 9, 1995. It’s a unique release on vinyl and comes in Red opaque colouring.
Badfinger - No Dice
This first came out in 1970. It’s the band's first official album as Baddinger. It includes their hit song “No Matter What” and also their version of "Without You.” Basfinger members Tom Evans and Pete Hams wrote the tune that Harry Nilsson and, much later, Mariah Carey smashed the charts with.
This release has the album remastered in 2010, now making its first appearance on vinyl. A great blast from the past.
James Dean Bradfield - The Great Western
Originally released in 2006, this was James Dean Bradfield's first solo album, away from the Manic Street Preachers. The album had been deleted but is now being released exclusively in the UK on RSD. It’s a much softer and more acoustic-based set of songs compared to his work with the Manics. Great to see it available again, 20 years after its initial release. And on colored vinyl too.
Nicky Wire - Intimism
The Manic's bass player, Nicky Wire, is joining in too. His second solo album, Intimism, first released in 2023, is out ‘again’ on RSD. When first released, there was no physical format for the album; this time around, it’s available on coloured vinyl. Both Wire and Bradfield’s albums join several other RSD releases by including a £1 donation to War Child, a charity working with children affected by conflict.
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