It’s that time of year again, where the nation’s music community comes together to celebrate and champion independent record stores, some of our most precious institutions.
On Saturday April 13th, over 240 of the UK’s finest vendors of vinyl will be abuzz with special events, live performances, DJ sets, exhibitions, workshops and pop-ups, offering unique and exclusive releases to celebrate the occasion. If you’re a music fan in the nation’s capital, there’s really no excuse not to get involved. Check out our run-down of where to head in London on Record Store Day 2019.
Rough Trade East
This Shoreditch institution is one of London’s most famous record shops, drawing in crate-diggers and tourists alike from Brick Lane to explore their varied selections. They never fail to put on a show for RSD, and this year’s no exception: on top of DJ sets from Nabihah Iqbal and Nadine Shah, you can catch live in-store performances from Gang of Four and Ady Suleiman.
Phonica
One of London’s prime hot-spots on Record Store Day, Soho-based Phonica Records kick off their program at 12pm. Those looking for live bands should probably look elsewhere: Phonica is a mecca for dance music fans, and their RSD festivities are invariably DJ-focused. Their line-ups aren’t released until the day itself, past years have seen surprise sets from Gilles Peterson, Black Madonna and KiNK. Their RSD afterparty will feature Artwork spinning alongside an as-yet-unannounced “very special guest”: get excited.
Record Store Day was set up in 2007 to champion the culture of the record store, 12 years later it’s still going strong as it celebrates not only the record shops that have stood the test of time but also the new generation of shops who have just opened their doors.
Record Store Day
Sounds of The Universe
Another legendary outlet in the heart of Soho, Sounds of The Universe takes a more universal approach to their selections, placing Brazilian jazz and obscure kosmische alongside rare disco edits and cerebral post-dubstep. Though they’ve been forced to discontinue their fabled RSD street parties, the gang at SOTU still continue to throw indoor events each year that are well worth showing up for. This year, Global Roots mastermind Thristian will be rocking up to drop some red-hot burners for what’s sure to be a highly lively crowd.
Container Records
Vinyl powerhouse Container Records is an independent record store situated in a reclaimed shipping container on the grounds of Pop Brixton. They’re hosting an eclectic label market this Saturday, featuring stalls from a selection of the UK’s most impressive imprints, while inviting veteran DJs such as Oneman and Slimzee to perform alongside rising selectors like TSVI, Wallwork, Kouslin and We Buy Gold. If you’re about garage, grime, jungle or hardcore, get down to Container this Saturday to get down.
Rye Wax
If you’re searching for something south of the river, then head down to the basement of south-east London’s Bussey Building to browse the eclectic selections at Peckham’s premier vinyl hub, Rye Wax. This store and venue is known for hosting some of London’s most visionary club-nights, so make sure you don’t miss this Saturday’s 12-hour session of genre-blending DJ sets from Gigi FM, OK Williams, Sybil and A Boy from Outer Space.
Rough Trade West
For those less inclined towards DJ culture, there’s an abundance of events that offer live bands across London. Fans of pop and indie should make their way to Rough Trade West, Rough Trade East’s sister-store located in Notting Hill: the word on the street is that Pete Doherty and KT Tunstall will be performing acoustic sets from 2pm onwards. It’s a perfect opportunity to catch some laid-back vibes while browsing the store’s admirable collection of records – keep an eye out for those exclusive RSD releases.