Feature: Record Store Day

As Record Store Day approaches, celebrating a decade and a half since its inception, one school of thought (which is fast becoming a cliché) gets louder: Is Record Store Day worth it? There have been dissenting voices for nearly two-thirds of the initiative’s lifetime, but the arguments made by the nay-sayers gain more worth as time goes on. 

Originally the brainchild of a group of independent record stores in Baltimore, Maryland, the premise was that, by releasing some exclusive vinyl available only in certain stores, buyers would flock in their droves to the stores and increase footfall. The first RSD (2008) in the UK saw the participation of a handful of outlets (mainly because they were the only ones operating) in major cities across the country, launched by Billy Bragg. Consisting only of 10 special releases, artists participating included Death Cab For Cutie, R.E.M., Vampire Weekend and Black Kids. 

The following year saw the event grow exponentially, with many European countries getting involved along in stocking 85 special releases to mark the occasion, while in 2010 the first ambassador was anointed (Josh Homme). All of which culminated in a 41% increase of sales from the previous year and 109% increase from the previous Saturday which, unsurprisingly, set the date on the calendar in stone. 

But 2023 is a hugely different world from 2008.

https://gigwise.com/features/3429403/is-record-store-day-still-worth-it-