More about: Record Store Day

For the second year in a row, Record Store Day has split its celebrations into two...and the second iteration of the party is taking place this Saturday 17 July. As always, there will be a smorgasbord of exclusive records to pick up - and it'll be your opportunity to support the local spots that make up such an important part of the music industry ecosystem.

This July, a handful (60, to be precise) of these record shops are also going to be stocking the inaugural Gigwise magazine. You can see a list of places who will be stocking the magazine (for you to pick up for free!) here. See all contributing record stores to Record Store Day here, and the records you can pick up here.

Meet some of the people behind the record store stocking the mag below and don't forget to get down to your local whatever the weekend...

Piccadilly Records, Manchester

Photo by Andy McQueen.

"My first time in Piccadilly Records was pretty magical - I left with two hauntological synth-pop records from local legends (Jane Weaver and Eccentronic Research Council), a PINS recommendation from a member of staff, and a dream that one day, whether by hook or by crook, I too would serve wide-eyed music fanatics from behind that over-stickered counter. Five years later, and here I am... I guess you could say that record shops make dreams come true!!!" - Javi, Piccadilly Records

Strummer Room Records, Banbury

"Hounslow, where I grew up in late '70s/early '80s had a great selection of record shops. We had Memrydiscs, a traditional music store with listening booths, radiograms and other old fashioned hi-fi systems, great for everyday pop records of the time. They also had a comprehensive classical section. We had Cloud 7 which was significantly more modern than Memrydiscs and specialised in American imports. I think they were later taken over by Our Price.

The shop that I spent most of my time and money in was at electrical retailer Rumbelow's. The manager, a local radio DJ set up a record store in the back of the shop and mainly specialised in obscure punk/new wave singles. I had a Saturday job helping the local milkman and always went to Rumbelow's to spend my wages at the end of the day. 7" singles were £1 each and I would buy 5 or 6 a week. A few years ago, I decided to sell my singles collection, which was the catalyst for opening Strummer Room Records in early 2020. We are based in the unconventional setting of a 1930's laboratory building in Banbury, Oxfordshire rather than the high street, but have a growing community of vinyl record collectors within the town. We also see quite a few people who are passing through and find us on the internet." - Chris, Strummer Room Records.

Fish Records, Stone

"With our small, independent, family-run record store and local gigs we seek to foster an inclusive and safe environment for the whole community. It is also hugely important to us that as a record store, record label, booking agent and concert promoter we are committed to promoting and supporting women artists, particularly within folk, Americana and roots music" - Frankie, Fish Records.

 

"We see our record shop as like a church for creatively. People come here to buy creative things, things that light up their own imaginations and creativity. Like our podcast says, they come here to feed their souls. As record dealers we’re like tailors, trying to ensure we fit the right records on the right people. They may have every record they’ve ever wanted but still need to explore. That’s where we come in. We know what they like. We’re not psychics, we’re not algorithms. Just humans with knowledge to share. And to learn too."

 

Raves From The Grave, Frome

"We feel the importance of Record Shops today is understated, there is a community between ourselves and our customers, plus there have been many friendships formed here, and we're now the place for them to meet on a Saturday morning." - Tom

 

Casbah Records, London

"The first time I went to a record shop on my own to buy something was in 1973. I was after the Beatles ‘Blue album’ 1967-70. I was a bit nervous taking it to the counter as in the age of Prog & Glam rock they were a bit unhip at the time. The girl at the counter was really nice and had a little chat as I handed over my £2.99. I went out of the shop with a little spring in my step and felt good about my first purchase. Now I’m a record shop owner I’ve always tried to be friendly and encouraging to younger customers, no matter what they’re buying. Today’s shy teenagers are the hipsters of tomorrow." - Graham.

 

Resident, Brighton

 

"Have you ever felt out of place? Ever felt like you didn't quite belong? When you walk into a good record shop all that disappears. There are weirdos but they're your weirdos! People open record shops to celebrate the weird and wonderful, to give a home to those who need it most. Music is a healer and an escape. Record shops have never been more important, and we look forward to welcoming everyone, helping to discover their new favourite thing in the world. Hopefully we'll see you at the counter soon to share the things we love." - Jamie, Resident.

 

Resolution Records, Bath

"The mini community of record stores, while not as all-encompassing as it once was, is still thriving up and down the country, with the faithful among us finding it a hugely addictive part of buying and selling vinyl. The future is bright too, with people from all walks of life coming into our shop, especially young people - the next generation of crate diggers is strong!" - Milo, Resolution.

 

See a list of record shops stocking the Gigwise magazine:

 

Aberdeen Vinyl Records, Aberdeen
Strummer Room, Banbury
Resolution Records, Bath
Starr Records, Belfast
Bug Vinyl, Beverley
Future Yard, Birkenhead
The Diskery, Birmingham
Bella Union, Brighton
Magazine, Brighton
Resident Music, Brighton
Latest Music Bar, Brighton
Idle Hands, Bristol
Rough Trade Bristol, Bristol
Lost in Vinyl, Cambridge
Spillers Records, Cardiff
Just Dropped In, Coventry
Hifix, Coventry
The Lighthouse, Deal
Spindizzy Records, Dublin
Tower Records, Dublin
Assai Records, Dundee
Assai Records, Edinburgh
Raves From The Grave, Frome
Stereo, Glasgow
Love Music, Glasgow
The Boileroom, Guildford
The Crypt, Hastings
Grind and Grove, Keighley
Seismic, Leamington Spa
Crash Records, Leeds
Jumbo Records, Leeds
Black Circle, Leighton Buzzard
81 Renshaw, Liverpool
Jimmys, Liverpool
Casabah Records, London
Lion Coffee & Records, London
Paper Dress Vintage, London
Rough Trade East, London
Rough Trade West, London
Vinyl Cafe, Tileyard Studios, London
The Windmill, London
Piccadily Records, Manchester
The Snug - Atherton, Manchester
Elsewhere Records, Margate
Beyond Vinyl, Newcastle
Spun Out, Northampton
Beatniks, Norwich
Soundclash, Norwich
Rough Trade, Nottingham
Music Mania, Norwich
Truck, Oxford
Boiler Room Records, Poole
Pie & Vinyl, Portsmouth
Hundred Records, Romsey
Spinning Discs, Sheffield
Hagglers Corner, Sheffield
Record Collector, Sheffield
Fish Records, Stone, Staffordshire
Derrick's, Swansea
Square Records, Wimbourne Dorset
Rapture, Witney

 

Record Store Day takes place 17 July.

More about: Record Store Day