# Record Store Day

Record Store Day is an biannual event inaugurated in 2008 to "celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store". Held on one Saturday (typically the third) every April and every Black Friday in November, the day brings together fans, artists, and thousands of independent record stores around the world. A number of records are pressed specifically for Record Store Day, with a list of releases for each country, and are only distributed to shops participating in the event.
Record Store Day is headquartered in the United States, where it began. Official organizers operate in the UK, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Europe, Japan and Australia.

## Background

Originally pitched as an idea to create an event similar to Free Comic Book Day by Bull Moose Music's Chris Brown and Criminal Records' Eric Levin, the concept for Record Store Day was created during a brainstorming session at a meeting of independent record store owners in Baltimore, Maryland. Record Store Day was founded in 2007 by Eric Levin, Michael Kurtz, Carrie Colliton, Amy Dorfman, Brian Poehner and Don Van Cleave, and is now celebrated at stores around the world, with hundreds of recording and other artists participating in the day by making special appearances, performances, meet and greets with their fans, the holding of fundraisers for community non-profits, and the issuing of special vinyl and CD releases along with other promotional offerings to mark the occasion.
Each store holds its own event for the day, to celebrate its place in its community. Although Record Store Day only occurs once a year, the organisation provides promotions, marketing, and other opportunities for stores throughout the year, maintaining a website, social media accounts and other means of promulgating its views about the value of independent record stores. Record Store Day is managed on a day-to-day basis by the Department of Record Stores, along with the Coalition of Independent Music Stores and the Alliance of Independent Media Stores.

## History
### 2008-2010: Establishment and Early Growth

Record Store Day officially began on April 19, 2008, at Rasputin Music in Mountain View, California, with Metallica launching the event. The first celebration featured around 10 special releases from artists like Death Cab for Cutie, R.E.M., and Vampire Weekend. Approximately 300 independent record stores in the U.S. participated, and the event gained international traction when English singer-songwriter Billy Bragg helped launch it in the UK. Key British stores, such as Piccadilly Records in Manchester and Rough Trade in London, joined the inaugural festivities, marking the event’s first significant expansion beyond the U.S.
The second annual Record Store Day took place on April 18, 2009, and was marked by further growth, with 85 special releases and around 500 artist appearances, including Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, and Slayer. Over 1,000 record stores from countries like Japan, Canada, and Germany participated, with New York City’s Mayor Mike Bloomberg recognizing it as an official citywide event. This year also saw the event gain further exposure, including mentions on American Idol, helping to solidify Record Store Day as an established annual event.
In 2010, Record Store Day reached new heights. With 1,400 independent record stores participating, the event saw a 41% increase in sales compared to the previous year. The Smashing Pumpkins and other artists performed in-store, and Joshua Homme of Queens of the Stone Age served as the ambassador. This year also introduced Black Friday Record Store Day, launched in November 2010, expanding the celebration to the holiday season.

### 2011-2015: Expanding Ambassadors and Growing Popularity

Record Store Day continued to grow in 2011, becoming the world’s largest music event. With Ozzy Osbourne serving as ambassador, the event saw over 600 artists participating in in-store performances, including the Beastie Boys, Foo Fighters, and My Chemical Romance. Special releases that year included rare items like a limited edition 12" vinyl of New Order’s "Ceremony," and the event saw a notable 182,000-unit sales bump, as reported by Billboard.
In 2012, Record Store Day celebrated its fifth anniversary with Iggy Pop as the ambassador. The event featured over 400 special releases and saw the launch of the UK’s Official Record Store Chart, further highlighting the significance of independent record shops. The event’s growth continued in 2013, with Jack White, known for his work with The White Stripes, as the ambassador. This year saw Boards of Canada use Record Store Day to create a viral marketing campaign for their anticipated album Tomorrow’s Harvest, drawing widespread attention to the event.
The event continued to expand in 2014, with Chuck D of Public Enemy serving as ambassador. Notable releases included exclusive tracks from Soundgarden and Joan Jett. In 2015, with Dave Grohl as the ambassador, Record Store Day became a cultural phenomenon, with releases from bands like The White Stripes and Twenty One Pilots. The event not only grew in popularity but also reinforced the vinyl format’s relevance in a digital age.

### 2016-2020: Milestones and Challenges

By 2016, Record Store Day had solidified its place in the global music calendar. Metallica, who had helped launch the event, returned as its ambassador. The event included exclusive releases from artists such as David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash. The year was also marked by a poignant moment when Prince made one of his last public appearances at Electric Fetus in Minneapolis during Record Store Day, purchasing CDs just days before his untimely death.
In 2017, the event celebrated its 10th anniversary with St. Vincent as the first female ambassador. This year’s releases included a rare classical title, a Soviet-era recording of Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 2, and live recordings from artists like Brandy Clark. The event's success continued into 2018, with ambassadors Run The Jewels leading the celebrations, and special releases from Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, and Bruce Springsteen. Notably, in 2019, Record Store Day featured Pearl Jam as the ambassadors, with exclusive vinyl releases such as MTV Unplugged and limited edition reissues from artists like Gorillaz and John Lennon.
In 2020, Record Store Day faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the event to be postponed. The event was rescheduled and spread across three dates (August 29, September 26, and October 24), in addition to the traditional Black Friday event. Despite the obstacles, the event still garnered substantial participation from independent record stores and music lovers worldwide.

### 2021 - Present: Resilience and Continued Evolution

Record Store Day returned to its in-person format in 2021, although it was spread across two dates: June 12 and July 17. Fred Armisen served as the ambassador for the year, and a 'Black Friday' edition took place in November. In 2022, the event celebrated its 15th anniversary with Taylor Swift as the first-ever global ambassador. The celebration included special releases and a new "RSD Drops" date in June for delayed items, further cementing the event's growing international appeal.
In 2023, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires took on ambassador roles, and the event saw Taylor Swift’s Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions debuting on vinyl and entering the Billboard 200 Top 10. By 2024, Record Store Day had become a major cultural event, with Paramore and Kate Bush serving as ambassadors. This year resulted in the highest weekly vinyl sales in 30 years, further solidifying the continued popularity of vinyl records.
Looking ahead, Record Store Day 2025 is scheduled for April 12, with Post Malone as the U.S. ambassador and Sam Fender representing the UK. The event’s ongoing success highlights the enduring love for physical music formats and the importance of independent record stores in the global music landscape.

## Impact

Universal Music's sales manager, Marc Fayd’Herbe, has described Record Store Day as "the single best thing that has ever happened" for independent record shops. The 2013 event was credited with the highest U.S. vinyl sales, and the 2014 edition resulted in independent retailers recording the highest percentage of physical album sales, since the SoundScan system was introduced in 1991. In their 2015 Libera awards, the American Association of Independent Music awarded Record Store Day its "Marketplace Ally" award. Record Store Day 2016 produced the biggest week of sales for the vinyl LP format since the introduction of SoundScan.
In the UK, the event has been criticised for catering to record collectors, rather than casual music fans, and delaying the release of non-affiliated records by monopolising the capacity of record pressing plants. Major labels have been accused of hijacking the event, and the policy of shops being obliged to buy on a no-return basis has been criticised, along with many of the limited releases being re-sold online within hours at inflated prices.
Some shops during the COVID-19 pandemic pushed for a reformat of the event, even suggesting that the initiative risked damaging their businesses due to supply chain issues.

## Impact of COVID-19 on Record Store Day

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on Record Store Day, altering the way the event was celebrated in 2020 and 2021. As the global pandemic disrupted everyday life, including retail operations, independent record stores faced unprecedented challenges. In response, the Record Store Day organizers made necessary adjustments to ensure the event could continue while adhering to health and safety guidelines.

### 2020: Postponement and Rescheduling

Record Store Day 2020 was initially scheduled for April 18 but had to be postponed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. With social distancing measures in place and many record stores closed due to government restrictions, the organizers had no choice but to delay the event. In an effort to give stores time to recover and accommodate new health protocols, the celebration was rescheduled to June 20, 2020. However, as the pandemic continued to create uncertainty, it was further decided to break up the celebration into three separate "RSD Drops" across multiple dates: August 29, September 26, and October 24, 2020.
This new format was designed to alleviate the pressure on record stores by allowing smaller crowds to gather on different days, thereby ensuring a safer and more manageable experience for both customers and employees. The move also allowed participating stores to spread out the influx of sales, which might have overwhelmed stores had it all been condensed into a single day.

### Health and Safety Measures

Given the ongoing health concerns, record stores that participated in Record Store Day were required to adhere to strict COVID-19 safety protocols. These included maintaining social distancing within stores, limiting the number of customers allowed inside at any one time, and requiring masks for shoppers and staff. Many stores also implemented curbside pickup options for customers who preferred not to enter stores in person. Some shops offered online pre-ordering and virtual events to ensure fans could still participate in Record Store Day from the safety of their homes.
While the event’s usual lively in-store performances and gatherings were limited due to safety guidelines, Record Store Day still made a substantial impact by providing exclusive releases and supporting independent record stores during a financially difficult time. The release schedule for 2020 also saw special limited edition vinyls and albums that had been delayed due to the pandemic, adding extra significance to the event.

### RSD Drops and Virtual Engagement

Despite the challenges, Record Store Day 2020 found creative ways to engage with fans. The "RSD Drops" model, while different from the traditional single-day event, allowed for more inclusive participation and became a way for the event to carry on in the midst of the pandemic. Many fans still flocked to their local stores in limited numbers, excited to get their hands on exclusive vinyl releases.
Additionally, the COVID-19 era of Record Store Day saw an increase in digital and virtual events, where artists and fans could connect online. Social media became an important tool for promoting Record Store Day releases, and many stores shared their limited edition stock with customers through live stream events, helping to engage vinyl enthusiasts from all corners of the world.

### Record Store Day 2021

In 2021, Record Store Day took place over two separate dates, June 12 and July 17, instead of the usual one-day event, again due to ongoing health concerns. Fred Armisen served as the ambassador for the year. Although more record stores were able to safely open by this time, many stores continued to operate with precautions in place, such as limiting store capacity and enforcing mask mandates. Despite the adjustments, the event still enjoyed significant success, drawing large crowds and garnering a strong response from both fans and artists.
Additionally, the Black Friday edition of Record Store Day in November 2021 took place in a similar manner to the summer editions, ensuring the safety of all involved while still allowing fans to celebrate the love of vinyl records.

## Ambassadors & Honorifics

* Jesse Hughes was introductory ambassador for Record Store Day
* Taylor Swift became the first "global" ambassador in 2022
* Elton John received the first "Record Store Day Legend" honorific in 2017
Starting in 2009, Record Store Day has announced a powerful group or person to carry the honorific title.
| Year | Ambassador(s) | Region | Release |
| 2009 | Jesse Hughes | United States | |
| 2010 | Phil Tilli | Netherlands | |
| 2010 | Josh Homme | United States | |
| 2011 | Tim Knol | Netherlands | |
| 2011 | Ozzy Osbourne | United States | "Flying High Again" b/w "I Don't Know(Live)" |
| 2012 | Blaudzun | Netherlands | |
| 2012 | Iggy Pop | United States | Raw Power LP Reissue |
| 2013 | Triggerfinger | Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg | "Driveby" |
| 2013 | Jack White | United States | White Stripes Elephant Reissue |
| 2014 | Jan Delay | Germany, Austria, Switzerland | 7" single |
| 2014 | Kensington | Netherlands | |
| 2014 | Chuck D | United States | |
| 2015 | Typhoon | Netherlands | |
| 2015 | Olli Schulz | Germany, Austria, Switzerland | |
| 2015 | Dave Grohl | United States | Songs from the Laundry Room 10" vinyl |
| 2016 | Adam Brand and Ella Hooper | Australia | |
| 2016 | Eefje de Visser | Netherlands | "Staan" |
| 2016 | Metallica | United States | "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité, Metallica!" CD |
| 2017 | Jett Rebel | Netherlands | "Better Off Together" / "Daydreamin'" |
| 2017 | Slaves, Kate Tempest, Izzy Bizu | United Kingdom | |
| 2017 | St. Vincent | United States | |
| 2018 | Elton John | — | 17-11-70 LP Reissue |
| 2018 | The Sheepdogs | Canada | "Nobody" / "I've Got a Hole Where My Heart Should Be" |
| 2018 | Claw Boys Claw | Netherlands | "Rosie" / "Dot Dot Dash" |
| 2018 | Rag'n'Bone Man | United Kingdom | "Don't Set the World on Fire" / "George Has Got a Friend" |
| 2018 | Run the Jewels | United States | Stay Gold Collectors Box ( 12″ vinyl box set ) |
| 2019 | Dave Faulkner, Hockey Dad, Kate Ceberano, and Russell Morris | Australia | |
| 2019 | Jimmy Dewit | Belgium | |
| 2019 | The Trews | Canada | Den of Thieves |
| 2019 | Arnaud Rebotini | France | |
| 2019 | De Staat | Netherlands | "Kitty Kitty" |
| 2019 | The Mighty Boosh | United Kingdom | The Mighty Boosh: The Complete Radio Series |
| 2019 | Pearl Jam | United States | Live at Easy Street 12" EP |
| 2020 | Ross Wilson | Australia | Summer of '81 |
| 2020 | Goose | Belgium | "Synrise" |
| 2020 | Marie-Mai | Canada | Elle et moi |
| 2020 | Étienne Daho | France | Surf |
| 2020 | DeWolff [nl] | Netherlands | "Made It to 27" / "Nothing's Changing" |
| 2020 | The Big Moon | United Kingdom | |
| 2020 | Brandi Carlile | United States | "Black Hole Sun / Searching With My Good Eye Closed" 12" Single |
| 2021 | Hilltop Hoods and Nai Palm | Australia | |
| 2021 | Arno | Belgium | 7" single |
| 2021 | Triumph | Canada | Allied Forces box set |
| 2021 | Spinvis | Netherlands | Sunon – Esperanto |
| 2021 | Wojtek Mazolewski [pl] | Poland | piano forte brutto netto Polka Live |
| 2021 | Raphael | Spain | Tour 6.0 EP |
| 2021 | Noel Gallagher | United Kingdom | Back the Way We Came: Vol. 1 (2011–2021) |
| 2021 | Fred Armisen | United States | "Parade Meeting" 12" Single |
| 2022 | Whispering Sons [fr] | Belgium | "Surface" / "Flood" |
| 2022 | Floor Jansen | Netherlands | "Fire" |
| 2022 | Taylor Swift | Worldwide | The Lakes 7" Single |
| 2023 | Compact Disk Dummies | Belgium | De Kraak (Original Soundtrack) |
| 2023 | Our Lady Peace | Canada | Collected 1994–2022 |
| 2023 | Froukje | Netherlands | "Als Ik God Was" |
| 2023 | Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires | United States | "The Sound Emporium" 12" EP |
| 2023 | The 1975 | United Kingdom | "Live With The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra" |
| 2024 | Sylvie Kreusch | Belgium | "Comic Trip" / "Storybook Children" |
| 2024 | The Tragically Hip | Canada | "Live at The CBGB's |
| 2024 | Frank Turner | Germany, Austria, Switzerland | "Girl from the Record Shop" / "All Night Crew" |
| 2024 | Within Temptation | Netherlands | The Artone Sessions |
| 2024 | Elektryczne Gitary | Poland | A ty co Huśtawki |
| 2024 | Paramore | United States | Re:This Is Why (Standard album + Remix) and T-shirt/poster combo |
| 2024 | Kate Bush | United Kingdom | Eat the Music 10" Single |
| 2025 |
| 2025 | Pommelien Thijs | Belgium | Split single with Di-rect |
| 2025 | Big Wreck | Canada | Albatross |
| 2025 | Die Fantastischen Vier | Germany, Austria, Switzerland | |
| 2025 | DJ Koco aka Shimokita | Japan | "Made in New York" |
| 2025 | Di-rect | Netherlands | Split single with Pommelien Thijs |
| 2025 | Dani Nel·lo [es] | Spain | |
| 2025 | Sam Fender | United Kingdom | Me and the Dog |
| 2025 | Post Malone | United States | Post Malone Tribute to Nirvana "Fortnight" (Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone) |