Viva Vinyl! Celebrating Record Store Day 2024

The Lone Bellow Checking Out Vinyl in Brooklyn / photo by B.L.Howard

As spring weather looms, music lovers around the world prepare to unite for one of the most anticipated days in music: Record Store Day. Held on April 20 this year, artist ambassadors include the newly independent band Paramore in the U.S., and Kate Bush in the U.K.

Record Store Day is an annual event first created in 2007 to celebrate the culture of the first independently owned record store. Held every year, with its main events being a Saturday in April and Black Friday in November, the day is an opportunity to unite independent record stores, fans, and artists worldwide into the world of music.

The day is most known for limited edition releases, records pressed specifically for the day, meet-and-greets, and special performances by artists. Each participating record store across the country and worldwide holds their own independent event in line with the day of celebration.

Monday Night Vinyl at Sycamore Bar & Flower Shop/ © photo by B.L.Howard

As the world of music sales has changed drastically over the years — from vinyl records to cassettes to CDs and streaming sales — the growth of vinyl is once again seeing a rise, as it has in recent years. What better way to celebrate than with a day of limited releases?

A DJ Spins Vinyl at Sycamore Bar & Flower Shop /© photo by B.L.Howard

For Brooklyn music lovers, a previously announced list includes 14 participating record stores across the borough, with many others involved throughout New York City.

Some highlights for the day include the release of a “mini” celebration of The Beatles’ historic “Ed Sullivan Show” appearances in 1964. The release includes a mini-turntable and 3″ records of four of the songs they played on the show.

Also on the list of exciting music happenings in collaboration with this year’s Record Store Day is The Black Crowes’ global listening event. Their new album, Happiness Bastards, hits the shelves March 15, but record stores across the country will be hosting listening parties with prizes and more.

Head to www.recordstoreday.com to find a list of specific releases per country, as well as more information on the participating record store nearest to you. Happy listening!